Back to homepage

Important Immunizations

Hancock County Health System Community Health provides child, adolescent and adult immunizations throughout Hancock County.

Influenza

The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. There are two types of flu vaccines:

  • “Flu Shots” — inactivated vaccines (containing killed virus) that are given with a needle.The regular seasonal flu shot is “intramuscular” which means it is injected into muscle (usually in the upper arm). It has been used for decades and is approved for use in people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women.
  • “Flu Mist” — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that is given as a nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for “Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine”). The viruses in the nasal spray vaccine do not cause the flu. LAIV is approved for use in healthy* people 2 to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. Flu vaccines will not protect against flu-like illnesses caused by non-influenza viruses.

When to get vaccinated against seasonal flu

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September, or as soon as vaccine is available, and continue through the holidays. Flu season can last as late as May. This is because the timing and duration of flu seasons vary. While flu season can begin early as October, most of the time seasonal flu activity peaks in January, February or later.

More information about Influenza from the CDC

Flu Consent Form (172 KB)

Flu Vaccine Information Form (1,550 KB)

HPV - Human Papillomavirus

H P V Vaccine Recommendations

The HPV vaccine works extremely well. In the four years after the vaccine was recommended in 2006, the amount of HPV infections in teen girls decreased by 56%. Research has also shown that fewer teens are getting genital warts since HPV vaccines have been in use. In other countries such as Australia, research shows that HPV vaccine has already decreased the amount of pre-cancer of the cervix in women, and genital warts have decreased dramatically in both young women and men

HPV vaccines work

The HPV vaccine works extremely well. In the four years after the vaccine was recommended in 2006, the amount of HPV infections in teen girls decreased by 56%. Research has also shown that fewer teens are getting genital warts since HPV vaccines have been in use. In other countries such as Australia, research shows that HPV vaccine has already decreased the amount of pre-cancer of the cervix in women, and genital warts have decreased dramatically in both young women and men

Childhood Immunizations 0-6 years

During the early years of life, children are recommended to get a number of vaccines to protect them from diseases that can be serious, even life-threatening.

Parents who choose not to vaccinate their own children increase the risk of infection for their children, other children around them, neighbors, and the community.

Parents can find out what vaccines their children need and when the doses should be given by reviewing the nationally recommended Childhood Immunization schedule (284 KB), available on the CDC website via the link below.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-adolescent.html

Vaccines for Children (VFC) Federally funded immunization program

Community Health abides by certain requirements to provide children and adolescents their vaccines. To be eligible for the VFC program, you must meet one of these criteria:

  • Age newborn through 18th year
  • No health insurance or
  • Medicaid/TItle 19 enrolled
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native
  • Underinsured (no immunization coverage, covers only certain vaccines or caps the cost at a certain amount)
  • Unmet deductibles or co-pay do NOT qualify persons for Vaccines for Children

Please call your health care provider's office to receive vaccinations

Children and Teens 7-18 years

As children get a little older, it's easy to forget that they still need vaccines. However, children 6 months through 18 years of age are recommended for a yearly flu vaccination, so young children, pre-teens, and teens should be getting at least one vaccination every year.

As children move into adolescence, they are at greater risk of catching diseases, like meningitis and HPV. Also, immunity from some vaccines can decrease over time, so people may need to get another dose of a vaccine during their pre-teen years.

For example, adolescents 11-12 years of age are recommended to get a single dose booster of the Tdap vaccine which is recommended for adolescents and adults. This is a version of the DTaP which is a 5-dose series given to children before 6 years of age.

The CDC provides a full vaccine schedule (17 KB) for people ages 7 through 18 years for parents to remain up to date on their children's vaccines. Follow the link below.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-adolescent.html

Adults over 18 years

Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Far too many adults become ill, are disabled, and die each year from diseases that could easily have been prevented by vaccines.

Everyone from young adults to senior citizens can benefit from immunizations. Getting immunized is a life long, life-protecting job.

Click the first link below for more information about the adult vaccines and the second link below for an immunization schedule.

www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030.pdf (129 KB)

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/adult.html

Travel Vaccinations:

Planning a trip out of the country soon? If so be sure to inquire about vaccines that are need at least 1 month ahead of time. Vaccines usually take a few weeks to become effective after you receive them.

For health information before traveling, follow this link: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list