- How do I “Live Well?”
- Immunizations
- Women’s Health
- WIC
- Mental Health Services
- Tobacco Cessation
- Family Planning
- Birth Control Options
- Pregnancy Testing
- STD/HIV Testing
- Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
- Sports Physicals
Adults
Contrary to popular belief, adults require immunizations too! Some adults incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives. Generally this is true, except that:
- Some adults were never vaccinated as children.
- Newer vaccines were not available when some adults were children.
- Immunity can begin to fade over time.
- As we age, we become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections (e.g., flu, pneumococcus).
The Health Department conducts routine immunizations for adults depending on the individuals need.
The immunization clinic is held on Wednesdays from 1-4 pm.
Immunizations at the department may include some or all of the following:
Tetanus diphtheria / Tetanus diphtheria and pertussis (Td/Tdap)
Tetanus is an acute, often fatal disease that occurs worldwide. It affects the central nervous system, producing stiffness or muscular rigidity. Tetanus can be localized, with muscle contractions in the part of the body where the infection began, or it can be generalized, affecting the whole body. About 80 percent of reported tetanus cases are generalized. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 50 days, but symptoms usually occur 5 to 10 days after infection. The shorter the incubation period, the greater the chance of death.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although most children are protected against pertussis by vaccination during childhood, immunity wanes over time and leaves adolescents and adults unprotected.
Recommended vaccine schedule for all adults is once every ten years. In the event of an injury the vaccine may be administered at five-year intervals.
Hepatitis B (Hep B):
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can affect people of all ages. Some people are never able to rid themselves of the virus. This long-term or chronic HBV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people and is most often spread among adults through sexual contact or by sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia with an infected person. HBV can also be spread in households of HBV-infected persons, or by passage of the virus from an HBV-infected mother to her infant during birth.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adults considered at risk is a series of three injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- Second dose 2 months following initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Hepatitis A (Hep A):
Hepatitis A, (formerly known as infectious hepatitis), is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by Hepatitis A virus, which is most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or drinking water. Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide are infected with the virus The time between infection and the appearance of the symptoms, (the incubation period), is between two and six weeks and the average incubation period is 28 days.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adults considered at risk is a series of two injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
A human papillomavirus (HPV) is a papillomavirus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of humans. Approximately 130 HPV types have been identified. Some HPV types can cause warts (verrucae) or cancer, while others have no symptoms.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adults considered at risk is a series of three injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- Second dose 2 months following initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Influenza (Flu):
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended annually. These vaccinations are tailored to protect recipients against the most predominant influenza strains as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meningococcal:
Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord) caused by the meningococcus germ.
Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is more common in infants and children. For some adolescents, such as first-year college students living in dormitories, there is an increased risk of meningococcal disease. Every year in the United States approximately 2,500 people are infected and 300 die from the disease. Other persons at increased risk include household contacts of a person known to have had this disease, immunocompromised people, and people traveling to parts of the world where meningococcal meningitis is prevalent.
Adult immunization fee schedule:
Although the Polk County Health Center does not have access to all adult vaccines free of charge, we are able to offer these vaccines at cost as illustrated below:
Vaccine Cost per Dose ($)
- Hepatitis B $33
- Hepatitis A $25
- Twinrix (Hepatitis A and B) $45
- Zostovax $varies
Children
Your children's first vaccines protect them from 8 serious diseases, caused by viruses and bacteria. These diseases have injured and killed many children (and adults) over the years. Polio paralyzed about 37,000 people and killed about 1,700 each year in the 1950s before there was a vaccine. In the 1980s, Hib disease was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age. About 15,000 people a year died from diphtheria before there was a vaccine. Most children have had at least one rotavirus infection by their 5th birthday.
None of these diseases has completely disappeared. Without vaccination, they will come back. This has happened in other parts of the world.
Diphtheria:
This is a bacterial infection you acquire from contact with an infected person. Signs and symptoms include a thick covering in the back of the throat that can make it hard to breathe. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, and death.
Tetanus (Lockjaw):
This bacterial infection occurs through a cut or wound. It does not spread from person to person. Signs and symptoms include painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to stiffness of the jaw, so the victim cant open his mouth or swallow. It leads to death in about 1 case out of 5.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough):
This is a bacterial infection you acquire from contact with an infected person. Signs and symptoms include violent coughing spells that can make it hard for an infant to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks.
It can lead to pneumonia, seizures (jerking and staring spells), brain damage, and death.
Hib ( Haemophilus influenzae type b) :
This is a bacterial infection you acquire from contact with an infected person. There may be no signs or symptoms in mild cases. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings); pneumonia; infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering of the heart; brain damage; deafness; and death.
Hepatitis B:
This is a viral infection of the liver contracted from contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. Babies can get it at birth if the mother is infected, or through a cut or wound. Adults can get it from unprotected sex, sharing needles, or other exposures to blood. Signs and symptoms include tiredness, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), and pain in muscles, joints and stomach. It can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and death.
Polio:
This is a viral infection you acquire from close contact with an infected person. It enters the body through the mouth. Signs and symptoms can include a cold-like illness, or there may be no signs or symptoms at all. It can lead to paralysis (can't move arm or leg), or death (by paralyzing breathing muscles).
Pneumococcal:
A bacterial infection you can get it from contact with an infected person.
Signs and symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and chest pain. It can lead to meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings), blood infections, ear infections, pneumonia, deafness, brain damage, and death.
Rotavirus:
This is a viral infection you acquire from close contact with an infected person. Signs and symptoms include severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
It can lead to dehydration, hospitalization (up to about 70,000 a year), and death.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR):
The MMR vaccine is a "3-in-1" vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella -- all of which are potentially serious diseases of childhood.
Chickenpox (Varicella):
Chickenpox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV). It generally begins with spots appearing in two or three waves, mainly on the body and head rather than the hands and becoming itchy raw pockmarks, small open sores which heal mostly without scarring.
Chickenpox has a 10-21 day incubation period and is spread easily through aerosolized droplets from the nasopharynx of ill individuals or through direct contact with secretions from the rash. Following primary infection there is usually lifelong protective immunity from further episodes of chickenpox.
The Health Department provides childhood immunizations free of charge.
Adolescents
Contrary to popular belief, adolescents require immunizations too! Some adolescents incorrectly assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for the rest of their lives.
Generally this is true, except that:
- Some adolescents were never vaccinated as children
- Immunity can begin to fade over time
The health department conducts routine immunizations for adolescents depending on the individual's need. Appointments are required for all immunizations. Immunizations at the department may include some or all of the following:
Tetanus diphtheria / Tetanus diphtheria and pertussis (Td/Tdap):
Tetanus is an acute, often fatal disease that occurs worldwide. It affects the central nervous system, producing stiffness or muscular rigidity. Tetanus can be localized, with muscle contractions in the part of the body where the infection began, or it can be generalized, affecting the whole body. About 80 percent of reported tetanus cases are generalized. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 50 days, but symptoms usually occur 5 to 10 days after infection. The shorter the incubation period, the greater the chance of death.
Diphtheria: This is a bacterial infection you acquire from contact with an infected person. Signs and symptoms include a thick covering in the back of the throat that can make it hard to breathe. It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, and death.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although most children are protected against pertussis by vaccination during childhood, immunity wanes over time and leaves adolescents and adolescents unprotected.
Recommended vaccine schedule for all adolescents is once every ten years. In the event of an injury the vaccine may be administered at five-year intervals.
Hepatitis B (Hep B):
Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus can affect people of all ages. Some people are never able to rid themselves of the virus. This long-term or chronic HBV infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. The virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people and is most often spread among adolescents through sexual contact or by sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia with an infected person. HBV can also be spread in households of HBV-infected persons, or by passage of the virus from an HBV-infected mother to her infant during birth.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adolescents considered at risk is a series of three injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- Second dose 2 months following initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Hepatitis A (Hep A):
Hepatitis A , (formerly known as infectious hepatitis), is an acute infectious disease of the liver caused by Hepatitis A virus, which is most commonly transmitted by the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or drinking water. Every year, approximately 10 million people worldwide are infected with the virus The time between infection and the appearance of the symptoms, (the incubation period), is between two and six weeks and the average incubation period is 28 days.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adolescents considered at risk is a series of two injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV):
A human papillomavirus (HPV) is a papillomavirus that infects the skin and mucous membranes of humans. Approximately 130 HPV types have been identified. Some HPV types can cause warts (verrucae) or cancer, while others have no symptoms.
The recommended vaccine schedule for adolescent females and males starting as early as age 9, that are considered at risk, is a series of three injections administered in the following manner:
- An initial dose
- Second dose 2 months following initial dose
- One dose six months after the initial dose.
Influenza (Flu):
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year. Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and; about 36,000 people die from flu. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended annually. These vaccinations are tailored to protect recipients against the most predominant influenza strains as determined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meningococcal:
Meningococcal disease is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream or meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord) caused by the meningococcus germ.
The recommended vaccine schedule is at 8th grade and then again Senior year of high school.
Anyone can get meningococcal disease, but it is more common in infants and children. For some adolescents, such as first-year college students living in dormitories, there is an increased risk of meningococcal disease. Every year in the United States approximately 2,500 people are infected and 300 die from the disease. Other persons at increased risk include household contacts of a person known to have had this disease, immunocompromised people, and people traveling to parts of the world where meningococcal meningitis is prevalent.
Adolescent Immunization Schedule
| High-risk group vaccines | Recommendation | Dosage |
| Catch-up vaccines | Recommendation | Dosage |
| Scheduled Vaccines | Recommendation | Dosage |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Recommended Vaccination Schedule for Adolescents (11 - 18 years of age) |
||
| Pneumococcal polysaccharide | Adolescents at increased risk of pneumococcal disease or its complications. | 1 dose |
| Influenza | Adolescents at increased risk of complications from influenza or who have contact with high risk individuals; anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of getting influenza | 1 dose |
| Hepatitis A | Adolescents at increased risk of hepatitis A or its complications | 2 doses |
| Hepatitis B | Adolescents not previously vaccinated | 2-3 doses depending on specific vaccine. |
| Inactivated poliovirus (IPV) | Adolescents not previously vaccinated | 4 doses |
| Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) | Adolescents not previously vaccinated | 2 doses |
| Varicella | Adolescents without immunity to varicella | 2 doses |
| Meningococcal |
|
1 dose |
| Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) | A Tdap booster vaccine to replace tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine | 1 dose at 11-12 years of age. 1 dose at 13-18 years of age if the 11-12 years of age dose was missed. |
| Human papillomavirus (HPV) | Female adolescents 11-12 years of age not previously vaccinated | 3 doses for females Females should receive the first dose at 11-12 years of age; the second dose 2 months after the first; the third dose six months after the first. Administer to females 13-18 years of age, if not previously vaccinated. |
For more information about medical conditions, lifestyles, travel and other factors that may increase an adolescents risk of hepatitis A, consult the CDC Website at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/vis/vis-hep-a.pdf