Vaccinations

Vaccinations are one of the most powerful tools available to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect public health. With a multilingual staff that embraces the principles of Japanese hospitality, Chika Kuwama, MD, and the team at Hibari Family Medical in Edgewater, New Jersey, deliver comprehensive care that includes vaccinations and other preventive measures to keep patients healthy. Call the clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What are vaccinations?

Vaccinations are preventive measures that protect against infectious diseases. They train your immune system to produce proteins called antibodies, which fight off infections. Also called immunizations, vaccinations stop infections in their tracks, eliminating or greatly reducing the need for treatment after the fact.

How do vaccinations prevent disease?

A vaccine contains a small amount of a dead or weakened virus. When introduced into the body, a vaccine triggers your immune system—a complex network that protects against disease. The germs or bacteria that the vaccine contains aren’t enough to get you sick. It’s just enough to spark your immune response, which releases antibodies that recognize the virus in the future.

When you come in contact with the same virus again, your immune system already has the antibodies it needs to protect you against infection. If you are infected, the symptoms are milder and less severe than they would be without the vaccine.

Why are vaccinations necessary?

Vaccinations prevent diseases from spreading throughout communities. When more people are protected, infectious diseases have fewer hosts to infect. This causes a chain reaction, allowing diseases to die out in some cases. 

For example, smallpox once claimed up to three in 10 lives before its vaccine eradicated it globally. Thanks to the vaccine's global success, the U.S. hasn’t seen a smallpox case since 1949. As communities continue to vaccinate against deadly diseases, the spread of infectious illnesses may decline.

What are the most common vaccinations?

Hibari Family Medical offers a complete range of vaccinations for children, teenagers, and adults. The team works together to ensure you stay up to date on your family’s vaccine schedule. Vaccines the clinic provides include:

• Flu (influenza)
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Dengue
• Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b)
• Measles
• Rotavirus
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal
• Mumps
• Polio (poliomyelitis)
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Tetanus (lockjaw)
• Whooping Cough (pertussis)
• Rubella (German measles)
• COVID-19

While you receive most of your vaccines during childhood, booster shots are essential to protect adults. Your provider may also recommend visiting the clinic for annual flu shots.

To learn more about vaccinations, call Hibari Family Medical or schedule an appointment online.