She strongly believes that healthcare needs to change to benefit the patient and has traveled, lived, and volunteered medically in over 40 countries, equipping her to offer culturally competent care to all ethnic backgrounds. She has led multiple medical volunteer trips internationally and embarked on the World Race before medical school and works part-time for an anti-sex trafficking agency. She has also participated in additional training in healthcare related to LGBTQI needs and gladly accepts patients from any walk of life. In the future, she wishes to offer counseling and therapy to her patients. In her free time, Dr. Kelvas practices yoga, mindfulness meditation, and travels. She owns a medical writing company and is currently writing a book on PTSD in healthcare providers.
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Yes; influenza and COVID-19 are two entirely different viruses. Both can make you equally sick. In 1919, the world dealt with the flu, and with distancing and vaccinations, we’ve more or less subdued its far reaching effects. History repeats itself.
What are all the shots I should get when I turn 65?
- PPSV23, better known as Pneumovax. You should receive this vaccine earlier than 65 if you have:
- chronic heart disease (excluding hypertension)
- chronic liver disease (alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B or C, NASH)
- chronic lung disease (COPD, emphysema)
- diabetes mellitus (Types 1 & 2)
- cigarette smoking
- immunodeficiency disorders
- HIV
- you’ve had your spleen removed
- chronic kidney disease
- cerebral spinal fluid leak
- cochlear implant
2. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) booster every 10 years
3. Shingles, 2 vaccines, once.
What should I get annually?
The flu vaccine is the only one recommended by the CDC annually. Common complaints post-injection include arm soreness, fatigue, perhaps even a low grade fever. Don’t let this deter you! By far, these mild symptoms are much better than getting the actual flu itself, which could knock you out for weeks, or worse.
Talk with your doctor about vaccines; not all may be recommended for you, depending on your disease history, and many might be recommended earlier.
Danielle Kelvas, MD
