Vaccinations

Bristol & First Medical Clinic and Urgent Care provides a wide range of safe, effective vaccinations that can help protect your health. We offer numerous vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine, the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, the pneumococcal vaccine, the MMR vaccine, and many more. No appointment is necessary to receive a vaccination at Bristol & First. If you’d like to receive a vaccine, you can simply come in to our Santa Ana clinic for a walk-in
appointment.

Read on to learn more about some of the vaccinations we can provide at our Santa Ana medical clinic.

Get Vaccinated in Santa Ana: Our Vaccinations

The Flu Shot

Influenza (the flu) is a common and sometimes serious viral illness. Getting a yearly flu shot is the best way to reduce your risk of catching the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months or older get an annual flu shot. Those who are a higher risk of experiencing flu complications (such as young children, the elderly, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant women) are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot yearly.

When to get a Flu Shot: The ideal time to get a yearly flu shot is in October, before flu season has begun. However, if you’ve missed this window, doctors still generally recommend getting a yearly flu shot to protect yourself from late season flu outbreaks.

DTaP Vaccine

The DTaP vaccine is a vaccine that protects children aged 7 years or younger from catching three serious infectious illnesses: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), and pertussis (whooping cough).

When to Get a DTaP Vaccine: Children routinely get three doses of the DTaP vaccine at five
different ages: at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.

TDaP Vaccine

The TDaP vaccine is a vaccine that protects children over the age of 7 and adults from catching tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is particularly important for adults who spend time around children or infants to receive the TDaP vaccine, as young children and infants are at a high risk for severe complications from pertussis.

When to Get a TDaP Vaccine: It’s routine for children aged 11-12 to get a single TDaP vaccine. Then, TDaP booster vaccines are often given every 10 years. If you’re over the age of 11-12 and have never received a TDaP vaccine, the CDC recommends getting it as soon as possible. The CDC also recommends that pregnant women get the TDaP vaccine with each pregnancy.

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine

The varicella vaccine protects against varicella (commonly known as chickenpox), a viral illness that is common in children. While chickenpox infection is generally mild, it can be serious for infants or elderly people.

When to Get a Chickenpox Vaccine: Children who have never had chickenpox should get two chickenpox vaccines, one at age 12-15 months and one at age 4-6 years old. Adults who have never had chickenpox should get two doses of the vaccine (given at least 28 days apart).

Polio Vaccine

The polio vaccine protects against polio, a viral disease that is usually mild but can sometimes lead to severe effects (including paralysis and meningitis). While polio was once common the US, the effectiveness of the polio vaccine has made polio rare in the US.

When to Get a Polio Vaccine: Children routinely get four doses of the polio vaccine at the following ages: 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years old. Most adults do not need the polio vaccine, since they were likely vaccinated during childhood. However, some adults who are at high risk for polio may want to consider the vaccine.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis A vaccine protects against hepatitis A, a highly contagious viral liver disease that can cause mild to severe illness.

When to Get a Hepatitis A Vaccine: Children routinely get two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine between their first and second birthdays. This vaccine should be given at least 6 months apart. Adults who have not previously received the hepatitis A vaccine can also get the hepatitis A vaccine. Adults also need two doses of the vaccine, given at least 6 months apart.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B vaccine protects against both hepatitis B, a serious viral liver virus, and hepatitis D, a liver infection that can occur after hepatitis B infection.

When to Get a Hepatitis B Vaccine: Infants routinely get three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine at the following ages: birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. The CDC recommends that all people receive the hepatitis B vaccine. If you have never received the hepatitis B vaccine series, it’s generally recommended that you get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Meningococcal Vaccine

The meningococcal vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial disease that can be fatal.

When to Get the Meningococcal Vaccine: Adolescents routinely get the meningococcal vaccine at age 11-12, then receive a booster shot at age 16.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine protects against infection by three different serious viral infections: measles, mumps, and rubella.

When to Get the MMR vaccine: Children routinely get two doses of the MMR vaccine, one at age 12-15 months and one at age 4-6 years. The CDC recommends that adults who never got two doses of the MMR vaccine (and do not have immunity due to catching and surviving these infections) also get two doses of the MMR vaccine (spaced at least 28 days apart).

Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine reduces the risk of getting shingles, a highly contagious and painful skin rash that sometimes causes serious health complications. A common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (pain caused by damaged nerve fibers). Shingles is caused by a reactivation of the varicella zoster (chickenpox) virus.

When to Get the Shingles Vaccine: The CDC recommends that adults aged 50 or older get the Shingrix shingles vaccine. This shingles vaccine is given in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart. If your doctor recommends that the alternative shingles vaccine (Zostavax) is a better choice for you, this single dose vaccine can be administered at age 60 or older.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine provides protection from pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that can lead to potentially life-threatening illnesses such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Pneumococcal disease kills thousands of adults each year. Some people are at a higher risk of getting pneumococcal disease, including the elderly, infants, people with weak immune systems, and smokers.

When to Get the Pneumococcal Vaccine: The CDC recommends that all adults aged 65 years or older get the pneumococcal vaccine. Then, they also recommend that adults aged 19 to 64 who have certain health conditions or are smokers get the vaccine.

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