Immunizations
Immunizations
Getting vaccinated saves lives. It protects you, your family and your community. Immunization helps protect future generations by eradicating diseases. Learn more about the different immunizations available and where to make an appointment.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash or blisters that appear on the skin. Shingles is also known as herpes zoster. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus - the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have chickenpox, the virus remains in your body. It may not cause problems for many years. But as you get older, the virus may reappear as shingles (Medline Plus)
The shingles virus is not contagious, however people can catch chickenpox from someone who has shingles. If you have never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine you should stay away from someone who has shingles.
Those who have previously had chickenpox are at risk of developing shingles. The risk gets higher the older one gets. Shingles is most common in people over the age of 50. People with a weakened immune system are more likely to get shingles.
Most commonly, the rash occurs in a single stripe around either the left or the right side of the body. In other cases, the rash occurs on one side of the face. Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss. In rare cases (usually in people with weakened immune systems), the rash may be more widespread on the body and look similar to a chickenpox rash (CDC)
CDC recommends two doses of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV, Shingrix) to prevent shingles and related complications in adults 50 years and older. You need two doses of the vaccine, given 2 to 6 months apart. Shingrix is also recommended for adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy (CDC).
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. It causes the air sacs of the lungs to fill up with fluid or pus. It can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of germ causing the infection, your age, and your overall health.
Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can cause pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause. Bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own. It can also develop after you've had certain viral infections such as a cold or the flu.Viruses that infect the respiratory tract may cause pneumonia. Viral pneumonia is often mild and goes away on its own within a few weeks. But sometimes it is serious enough that you need to get treatment in a hospital. If you have viral pneumonia, you are at risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia.
Fungal pneumonia is more common in people who have chronic health problems or weakened immune systems (Medline Plus)
Flu
The flu, also called influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by viruses. Each year, millions of people in the United States get sick with the flu. Sometimes it causes mild illness. But it can also be serious or even deadly, especially for people over 65, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses.
The flu is spread from person to person. When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, they spray tiny droplets. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person may get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
Some people may experience vomiting and diarrhea. However, this is more common in children.
The best way to prevent getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year. It is important to cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands (Medline Plus)
COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the nation and the world since early 2020. The pandemic shed light on the health inequities that have long been a problem in the U.S., and continue to disproportionately impact communities of color. LULAC launched the campaign to provide access to vaccines and vaccine information to the most impacted and vulnerable communities across the country.
The new COVID-19, also known as the new coronavirus, is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) refers to the virus, while coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) refers to the disease.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Learn more about COVID-19 at VacunateHoy.org
Walgreens
Walgreens offers more than COVID-19 vaccines. They offer vaccines for Pneumonia (Pneumococcal); Hepatitis A/Hepatitis B; and Shingles just to name a few. You can see the full list on the Walgreens website.
Schedule your vaccine appointment today at Walgreens.com/VaccineAppointment.