Blog - Page 9 of 13 - Gretchen LaSalle MD

Shingles 101

May 21, 2019May 20, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

As a family physician, I not only have the pleasure of discussing vaccines with my parents of young children and teens but I also get to walk my adult patients through their ongoing need for immunizations as well. Almost all adults need the following (check with your primary provider for individualized recommendations): a yearly flu … Read more

Efficacy of an Adjuvanted Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Older Adults

May 19, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: A randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 study in 18 countries evaluating the safety and efficacy of herpes zoster subunit vaccine for prevention of herpes zoster in adults over 50.

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

May 19, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases tells the story of one family’s struggles with shingles – follow this link to see the video.

Do adults need a measles vaccine? Maybe.

May 6, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard that there’s a measles epidemic brewing in the United States. As of April 26th, 704 cases of measles have been documented in 22 states across the country. This is the largest number we’ve seen since 2000, when measles was declared no longer endemic in the … Read more

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

May 5, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

A mother’s plea to anti-vaxxers – measles could kill her five-year-old son because he has cancer. Follow this link to see the video.

Immunizing Parents and Other Close Family Contacts in the Pediatric Office Setting

May 5, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: Additional strategies are needed to protect children from vaccine preventable diseases. Young infants and children with compromised immune systems are at especially high risk for developing complications and cannot be completely immunized themselves.

Vaccines for Teens

July 14, 2019April 22, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

In my last blogpost, I discussed the unique relationship that doctors have with their teen patients. I also highlighted the fine line that we (doctors and parents of teens) have to walk between giving teens autonomy and reigning in their “that won’t happen to me” nature when it comes to making healthcare decisions, like the … Read more

Meningococcal Vaccinations

April 21, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

Summary of Research: Neisseria meningitidis, a gram-negative diplococcal bacterium, is a common asymptomatic colonizer of the nasopharyngeal space. It may infrequently lead to invasive disease that can result in high rates of seizures, organ failure, loss of limbs, and death.

Vaccine Video/Story of the Week

May 5, 2019April 21, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

April 21, 2019: Why meningitis vaccination is so important for college students? This educational and compelling video by the Texas Children’s Hospital conveys the importance of young people receiving the meningococcal meningitis vaccine before going to college. Follow this link to see the video.

The care and feeding of your teenager – a family doctor’s perspective

April 8, 2019 by Gretchen LaSalle

I am the mother of two amazing boys, ages 15 and 12. Well…sometimes I want to sell them to the gypsies and would offer a very reasonable price. But, mostly they’re amazing. I am also a family doctor. That means I take care of people through all ages and stages of life, including adolescence. So, … Read more