Vaccination Photo

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by introducing a small, harmless piece of a pathogen—such as a virus or bacteria—into the body, which triggers an immune response. This response allows the body to remember the pathogen, so the immune system can quickly recognize it if exposed to the actual bacteria or virus in the future. 

And since vaccines are made of very small amounts of weak or dead germs, they won't make you sick, providing a risk-free way for your body to take the time it needs to learn how to protect itself in the future. However, it takes some time for the body to learn these new pathogens, so you can still catch the disease if exposed to it right before or soon after being vaccinated

Our primary care locations can provide you with various vaccines to help prevent certain illnesses. When more people are vaccinated, it creates herd immunity, making diseases harder to spread through a community. This can help protect individuals who are unable to get vaccinated, such as infants, seniors, and people with certain health conditions.

Vaccinations are an important way to protect yourself and the people around you from diseases.

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With locations across California, Dignity Health Medical Foundation is just right around the corner. Schedule an appointment with a primary care physician, in person or virtually. 

Vaccines available at our clinic 

  • Pediatric/Adolescent Immunizations
    • Diphtheria-Tetanus toxoids and acellular Pertussis (DTaP)
    • Tetanus-diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
    • Hepatitis B 
    • Hepatitis A 
    • Haemophilus Influenza typeB (Hib)
    • Polio (IPV)
    • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
    • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • Pneumococcus (PCV13)
    • Rotavirus (RV)
    • Meningococcal (MCV4)
    • Meningitis B (Men B)
    • Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV)
    • Influenza vaccine
    • COVID-19
  • Adult Immunizations
    • Tetanus-diphtheria toxoids and acellular pertussis (Tdap)
    • Hepatitis B
    • Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
    • Varicella (Chickenpox)
    • Pneumococcus (PCV20)
    • Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV)
    • Shingles-Shingrix
    • Influenza vaccine 
    • COVID-19

Primary care locations

FAQs

Different vaccines are appropriate at different times in a child's life. Use the CDC's immunization schedule or this vaccine-schedule table created by the Immunization Action Coalition as a guideline, but be sure to follow your pediatrician's recommendations.

Because unvaccinated children—even the healthy ones—are far more susceptible to contracting a disease and exposing their peers to it. Measles, for instance, was considered extinct at the turn of the century, but it appears to be one of a number of resurfacing diseases as vaccination rates decline.

Vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks are common. Thus, vaccines are necessary in order to limit the potential for contracting an infectious disease and spreading it to others.

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With clinics throughout California, a Dignity Health Medical Foundation primary care physician is right around the corner, waiting to assist you along your wellness journey.

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