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Welcome to Troy Internal Medicine

Because we care

9/27/2023


We would like to give an overview of the vaccine recommendations for this fall.  These include the flu shot, Covid booster, and a new one the RSV vaccine.

 

Flu shots are now available.  You can get them through our office or at a local pharmacy.  This year we do not require an appointment for a walk-in flu shot.  You can just come in and have it.  If you are 65 and older you will automatically get the higher dose shot. Under 65 you will receive the standard shot.  This follows the CDC recommendations.  We encourage everyone to get the flu shot.  At least 30,000 people in United States die each year from the flu, which the shot protects this against.  The symptoms include fatigue, body aches, fevers of 101 to 103 degrees, headaches, and lung involvement including pneumonia. All ages are susceptible.  A typical infection has people in bed 3 to 5 days. A flu shot is particularly beneficial for people working or in college so they do not miss valuable time.

 

New this year is the RSV vaccine.  RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus.  It is a virus that can cause cold-like symptoms in older children and adults. These include congested or runny nose, dry cough, low-grade fever, scratchy throat, headache, and sneezing.

RSV can cause severe infections in younger children, infants, older adults (over age 75), and people with heart and lung disease and with weak immune systems including those receiving chemotherapy. Symptoms include fever, severe cough, rapid or difficulty in breathing, respiratory failure from pneumonia, and death.

 

Studies have shown the vaccine to be very effective.  It is indicated for adults 60 years of age and older.  It has not been approved yet for children.  The immunity of the vaccine last about 6 months.  Typically, RSV starts in the late fall.  An ideal time to receive it would be in the latter half of October.  This way the effectiveness of the vaccine will last through April of next year.

 

Finally, the new Covid booster will be available later this month or early October. During the summer there has been a tremendous amount of new information and data from around the world on the benefits of being fully vaccinated for COVID.  First, long-term immunity turns out to be much better than originally thought being fully boosted with the vaccine.  Previously it was only thought to be effective for 6 months and then the immunity would diminish.

 

Second, having natural immunity by having the infection had always thought to be the best form of immunity.  Now this has been shown not to be correct.  The immunity is best for the variant for which one was infected with.  As new variants evolve previous immunity is not as effective for the newer variants.  This explains why people who have had Covid in the past can get it again.

 

Third, studies from around the world consistently show those fully vaccinated who get Covid have less severe illness, shorter duration of symptoms, and rarely end up in the hospital. As a reminder, the number one purpose of the vaccine is to keep people out of the hospital.  The vaccine has been very successful in achieving this. Those who are most vulnerable to Covid include the unvaccinated, older adults, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.  Deaths from Covid in August averaged about 600 people per week in the United States.  This compares to 14,000 per week in August 2021.  Fortunately, the virus strains have remained mild.  Virus experts think this trend will continue, but the virus is not going away. The virus has the potential to change or “mutate” into something stronger like in the past. Being fully vaccinated is going to be beneficial to reduce the risk of serious illness and death. If you have missed previous boosters, just get this one, your immunity will be adequate.

 

We will not be getting the RSV vaccine or the Covid booster. They can be obtained through your local pharmacy or health department.


This allergy season, as always, Troy Internal Medicine would like to extend a reminder to our patients to limit the use of strong perfume and deodorant products when visiting our office.  Many of our office staff, as well as patients, have allergies and other chronic conditions that are easily triggered by these items.  We appreciate your help in keeping our office safe and accessible for everyone.


 

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Dr. Biddinger is the best internal medicine doctor I've ever seen, and that's why I've been with her for over a decade.

Rebecca T.
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Overall great experience, from my first visit and every time after that.

Victor G
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This place is awesome, service is great, they have almost every type of specialist in house.

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After years of failing to find a physician who I trust completely, I have met my match at TIM.

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