Adult Vaccines and Immunizations
Our immunization program is an integral part of providing patient-focused care at Fagen Pharmacy. Not only can our pharmacists fill your prescriptions, but our Immunization Certified Pharmacists can educate you on adult immunizations and administer vaccines right at the pharmacy! Each of our certified pharmacists has successfully completed an immunization education certificate program offered through the American Pharmacists Association.
Currently we provide the following immunizations:
Influenza vaccine (seasonal: September-March)
Influenza is a contagious disease that affects at least 10% of the population annually. It is caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Other illnesses have the same symptoms and are often mistaken for influenza, but only the influenza virus can cause influenza.
Influenza symptoms include fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches. Influenza kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, most of them elderly. Fagen Pharmacy offers flu clinics annually at all of our locations. Check our site in September for a complete listing of our local flu clinic offerings, or visit our Fagen Pharmacies at the following locations for “walk-in” flu shots, available late September through March: Hobart, Michigan City, Valparaiso, & Wheatfield.
Call any of our pharmacies to discuss your routine vaccine needs or to schedule a visit with one of our Immunization Certified Pharmacists.
Shingles vaccine (Zostavax)
Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Only someone who has had a case of chickenpox - or has gotten chickenpox vaccine - can get shingles. The virus stays in your body and can reappear many years later to cause a case of shingles.
Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It is also called Herpes Zoster. A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and can last 2-4 weeks. The main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach.
Shingles is far more common in people 60 and older than in younger people. At least 500,000 people a year in the United States get shingles. On May 15, 2008, the CDC recommended all persons 60 years of age and older receive the vaccine. Currently, the shingles vaccine is given only once per lifetime. A prescription from your doctor is required for pharmacist administration. If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment to receive the vaccine with one of our Immunization Certified Pharmacists today at the following locations: Hammond Clinic, Hobart, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Wheatfield, or Whiting. Visit the Merk Website for more information.
Pneumococcal vaccine (Pneumovax)
Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes sickness and death. In fact, pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined. Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain (meningitis). The indications on when and how often to get the pneumococcal vaccine can be confusing. Please talk to one of our Immunization Certified Pharmacists regarding your personal vaccination status. The vaccine is available year-round with your doctor’s prescription.
Vaccines work! CDC statistics demonstrate dramatic declines in vaccine-preventable diseases when compared with the pre-vaccine era. http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4037.pdf
Questions about Immunizations offered by Fagen Pharmacy?... please email immunization@fagenpharmacy.com.