In the 1940s, polio evoked fear in parents throughout the United States because the disease disabled so many children and adults. Thanks to a successful vaccination program, the United States has been polio-free since 1979. According to some estimates, 16…
You may only be aware of immunizations, or vaccinations, in children, but on-time vaccination is important in children and adults. You can protect yourself and your family against vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, cancers caused by HPV and influenza. Speak with…
If you’ve recovered from COVID-19 in the past, you may be wondering if it’s really necessary to get vaccinated. Compelling new research suggests the answer is “yes.” While being sick with COVID-19 creates antibodies that protect against future illness, it’s…
Family nurse practitioner Gina White, DNP, had concerns when the COVID-19 vaccine was released under Emergency Authorization. But when evidence showed the Delta variant was targeting children and sparking rapid respiratory decline, she and her husband made the decision to…
Brian Su, 55, a Springfield businessman, never quite believed COVID-19 would reach the United States. Once the pandemic took hold here, he questioned the safety of vaccines until the virus nearly took his life and threatened to rob his wife…
As the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine rolled out at the end of 2020, Kristen and Josh Brown met with their obstetrician for their twelve-week visit and discussed pros and cons of vaccination. Kristen, 30, was eligible to schedule the vaccination because…
Four days before testing positive for COVID-19, Bill Jones walked half a mile to his deer stand, shot a deer and hauled the carcass back to his vehicle himself. “No problem,” the 59-year-old Taylorville man said. In the days that…
Fear of needles during an immunization or blood draw is not unique to children. Many adults experience a needle phobia as well. For some, the fear can be greater than mild anxiety. But don’t let a fear of needles keep…
If you are experiencing anxiety about returning to normalcy post-COVID and going back in public, you’re not alone. Taking step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 helped to keep our families and communities safe, and as vaccination rates increase, an…
When you are vaccinated against COVID-19, it helps protect you from getting the illness. However, preliminary evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant can potentially spread the virus to others. “Fully vaccinated” means…