Vaccinations

Vaccinations

We provide a variety of vaccinations whether it is for travel or prevention such as shingles or tetanus.

We provide a variety of vaccinations whether it is for travel or prevention such as shingles or tetanus. Contact us today to Book an Appointment!

At iCare Pharmacy we provide a variety of vaccinations, such as for travel as well as for immunizations against potential diseases.

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Why is it important to get Vaccinated?

Vaccinations are important in that they help protect you against any diseases in case you are exposed to a bacteria or virus. Furthermore, if everyone is vaccinated in a community it decreases the chances of exposing the more vulnerable members of a community to the potential disease. This is referred to as Herd Immunity.

How does a Vaccination work?

A vaccine works by exposing your bodies immune system to a small inactivated component of the disease allowing it to memorize what it looks like. Now that you immune system knows what it looks like if it is ever exposed to it again it will have the necessary tools and knowledge to protect your body against the disease.
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What are the side effects you can experience from a vaccine?

The most common side  effect with a vaccination is that you may experience some redness and irritation at the site of injection. There is a risk of a allergic reaction to the vaccine depending on your medical history. 

If you have any history of allergies you should notify your pharmacists so they can ensure that the immunization you receive will not trigger an allergic reaction.

There are some misconceptions in regards to some vaccines such as the Flu shot. The Flu shot for example some people believe may actually cause the Flu. The vaccine that is commonly given for the Flu shot is inactivated (killed) and as such is not infectious.

In certain cases where they do use a live vaccine, such as the nasal spray, they use a very small portion of the bacteria or virus and as such it is not capable of actually causing you to have the flu.

In some cases patients will  develop a fever after being injected with the Flu shot. The fever in this case is not a sign of the Flu but is actually your body’s attempt to memorize and ready itself if it does ever get exposed to the Flu virus. A natural mechanism of your body against the Flu is to raise the temperature of your body so it is an uncomfortable environment for viruses and bacteria.

So your body has raised its own temperature as result of the vaccine but you do not actually have the flu. This fever is usually temporary and should dissipate shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions !

Some of the immunizations we provide at our pharmacy include:

Tetanus is a bacterial disease that lives in the soil and in fecal matter and can enter the body through an open cut or wound. It can be transmitted through animal bites and can results in muscle spasms, breathing problems, seizures and can be lethal.
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the nose and throat. It can cause breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis and can be lethal. Diphtheria is spread by sneezing, coughing and direct contact.
Shingles is a viral infection that results in a painful blistering rash. It is caused by the virus varicella-zoster virus, which causes chicken pox in younger patients, and then lies dormant in nerve tissue. As we grow older it is awakens and reactivates as shingles. Shingles is a very painful disease that can be prevented through vaccination and treated through medication if a patient does contract it.

Influenza is a viral  infection that is also known more commonly the Flu is a respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. It is transmitted from person to person through droplets when patients talk, sneeze or cough.

The influenza virus is good at mutating itself from year to year which is why you need to get the flu vaccine yearly. Scientists are able to predict what the Flu virus looks like year from year and based on this they are able to make a vaccination to protect us against the influenza virus.

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can infect your liver. It can cause inflammation in your liver and effect its ability to function normally. Hepatitis A can be transmitted from contaminated food such as raw fruits and vegetables or water. It can be helpful to follow the rule “Cook it, Wash it, Peel it or Forget it” in reducing your risk of contracting Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B is another infection that can also affect your liver. It can be a serious infection that can result in scarring, liver failure and even cancer. Sources of Hepatitis B include sexual activity, Needle sharing and transmission through blood. So if you have to have a procedure or are getting a tattoo while on vacation there is a chance that you could contract Hepatitis B if the equipment used is not properly sterilized.
Japanese Encephalitis is spread via mosquito bites. Symptoms include vomiting, confusion and loss of coordination. It can be quite serious and lead to swelling around the brain and possibly a coma state and death.
Pertussis also known as Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the bacteria Bordetella Pertussis. It results in uncontrollable violent coughing what can make it difficult to breathe. The best prevention against whooping cough is to ensure proper vaccination.
Measles is a viral infection that is more common in childhood and can be prevented through vaccination. It is also known as Rubeola and can serious and even lethal for children. It typically presents itself as a rash that look like flat red spots. It sometimes also presents along with a spike in body temperature resulting in a fever.
A meningitis infection is a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation to the membranes known as meninges that surround both your brain and spinal cord. Meningitis symptoms include a sudden high fever, stiff neck, headache and confusion as well as difficulty concentrating. It can also result in seizures and in severe cases can be lethal.

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that results in the  inflammation of a patient’s lungs air sacs filling with mucus and pus. Pneumonia can also be caused by viral and fungal infections but bacterial is the most common cause of Pneumonia infections.

There are certain groups that are more at risk of a Pneumonia and as a result it is important for these patients to be vaccinated. High risk patients include patients older than 65 years old, Children younger than 2, smokers as well as diabetic and Asthma patients.

Dukoral is an oral vaccination used for the prevention of traveller’s diarrhea. The most common cause of traveler’s diarrhea is E.coli. You should finish the course of Dukoral 1 week prior to travel and it will provide protection for 3 months. It also help to provide immunization against Cholera which is a disease caused by a bacterial infection that can result of watery diarrhea leading to dehydration.

Typhoid is a disease that commonly presents with  fever, headache, abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea. It is caused by the bacteria known as Salmonella Typhi. You can take Vivotif as an oral vaccination that acts as a preventative against Typhoid fever.

Another alternative is to take Typhim which is an injectable vaccination. Typhoid is most commonly spread through contaminated food and water and is usually a result of trace fecal matter.