Seasonal Vaccines

Stay healthy this winter with Gatti Pharmacy
Flu, Pneumonia and Shingles Vaccines!

At Gatti Pharmacy we are here to help you in times of sickness and good health.  In order to keep yourself and your family healthy this winter, stop by the Pharmacy to receive one or more of the recommended vaccines discussed below. 

Call us at 724-349-4200, email us at smithcooney@gattirx.com or stop by today!

BEAT THE FLU

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease.  Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season.

While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season.

In addition, you can take everyday preventive steps like staying away from sick people and washing your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to prevent spreading influenza to others.

PNEUMONIA CAN BE PREVENTED

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Globally, pneumonia causes more deaths than any other infectious disease.  However, it can often be prevented with vaccines and can usually be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs.

Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia. This includes adults 65 years of age or older and children less than 5 years of age. People up through 64 years of age who have underlying medical conditions (like diabetes or HIV/AIDS) and people 19 through 64 who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at increased risk for getting pneumonia.

The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevnar 13® is currently recommended for all children under 5 years of age.  Pneumovax® vaccine is currently recommended for use in all adults who are older than 65 years of age and for persons who are 2 years and older and at high risk for disease (e.g., sickle cell disease, HIV infection, or other immunocompromising conditions). It is also recommended for use in adults 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes or who have asthma.

STOP SHINGLES

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a disease that causes a painful skin rash. In addition, shingles can lead to severe pain that can last for months or even years after the rash goes away, a condition known as post-herpetic neuralgia. The pain from shingles can cause depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite and weight loss. Shingles can interfere with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, eating, cooking, shopping, and travel.

The only way to reduce the risk of developing shingles and post-herpetic neuralgia, the long-term pain that can follow shingles, is to get vaccinated. Adults age 60 years or older can receive a single dose of the shingles vaccine, called Zostavax®.

*All information provided by the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.  Additional information on these and other illnesses/vaccines can also be found at www.cdc.gov.