PALM BEACH COUNTY SCHOOL PHYSICALS 

Back to school physicals do not require an appointment at MD Now Urgent Care Centers, however to save even more time, you may schedule them in advance for quicker service.

MD Now Urgent Care Centers joins the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing the month of August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Why are immunizations important?

Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.

Who should be immunized?

Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease.


Some people should not receive a flu shot. They include: People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs. People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past. People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously. Children less than 6 months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group). People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen. If you have questions about whether you should get a flu vaccine, consult your health-care provider.

Why might some adults need vaccines?

Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect themfor the rest of their lives. Generally this is true, except that:

• Some adults were never vaccinated as children

• Newer vaccines were not available when some adults were children

• Immunity can begin to fade over time

• As we age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections (e.g., flu, pneumococcus)

Illness is expensive.

The number of adult deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases is towering —more than 30,000 each year. The real tragedy is that it doesn’t have to happen. For example, every year more than half of adults at high risk of influenza complications seek some type of medical treatment, but they fail to receive influenza vaccine. What is the direct medical cost just for this negligence? Between $3 billion and $5 billion. And that’s just one disease. Some adults think immunization is just for kids or are unaware adult vaccines exist. Others are procrastinators. But when these people’s lives are damaged or cut short, far more than their families suffer. Our entire society suffers.

WHICH VACCINES SHOULD ADULTS RECEIVE? 

INFLUENZA Each year, an average of over 200,000 adults are hospitalized because of influenza. As many as 36,000 die, and the elderly are especially vulnerable. Anyone 50 or older, or having certain medical conditions, such as a chronic illness or immunosuppression, has a greater risk for severe complications following influenza. Influenza vaccination is readily available and must be repeated each year, in the fall, before the start of influenza season. 

PNEUMOCOCCAL As many as 15,000 people die each year because of pneumococcal pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal infections. The elderly and people with certain medical conditions, such as chronic lung disease or immunosuppression, are most susceptible to pneumococcal disease. People under 65 will need a booster shot when they reach 65 if more than 5 years have passed since the initial dose. 

TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA (Td) Booster doses of Td are needed at 10-year intervals throughout a person's life. 

VACCINES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS Many Americans enjoy vacations abroad, and in today's business environment, employees are often required to visit remote areas of other countries. When visiting some parts of the world, these people are likely to be exposed to diseases that we almost never see in this country. Immunization is crucial for international travelers- both routine vaccines and others needed for specific geographic regions. 

OTHER VACCINES SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED:
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HEPATITIS A Adults need protection if they live in U.S. communities or travel to other countries with high rates of hepatitis A. This vaccine is essential for those who have chronic liver disease, are injection drug users, or are men who have sex with men.
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HEPATITIS B Hepatitis B is the primary sexually transmitted disease we can immunize against. This disease infects over 140,000 people in the U.S. each year and kills over 5,000. It is 100 times more contagious than the virus that causes AIDS, and there is no cure. It is known as the "silent disease" because it may infect people without making them feel sick.
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MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR) Anyone born since 1956 and all women of childbearing age who have not had these diseases or been vaccinated needs to be safeguarded.
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CHICKENPOX (VARICELLA) Adults have a far greater risk of complications from this disease. These include swelling of the brain, pneumonia, and even death. Protection is crucial for anyone not born in the U.S. before 1966 who has not had this disease and has not been vaccinated.

Consult the CDC's Adult Vaccine Preventable Diseases page to learn about each disease. It includes a short description, symptoms, complications, transmission, and whether or not you need the vaccine as an adult.

The above information is reported directly from the United States Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

MD Now Medical Centers offers all of the above vaccines, including HPV (Human Papaloma Virus) vaccine, Herpes-Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine, Rabies Vaccine (elective only - not emergency tx), and all travel vaccines to our patients and their families. We are also listed in the CDC's Yellow Fever Vaccination Center Registry.

Please call for current pricing and availability. We accept Medicare and all major Medicare secondary insurance plans. Sorry, most commercial insurances do not cover influenza or other immuni immunizations, so we will not bill your commercial insurance insurance carrier.