Buena Vista County, Iowa - Beautiful View

Immunization

• Immunization Program
• Child Immunizations
• Adolescent Immunizations
• Adult Immunizations
• International Travel Immunizations
• Recommended Immunization Schedule ages 0 through 6
• Recommended Immunizations for Babies
• Recommended Immunization Schedule ages 7 through 18

Immunization Program
The goal of any Immunization program is to reduce and ultimately eliminate the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases by working in conjunction with public and private health care providers throughout the state. Before vaccines were discovered, many diseases took a terrible toll on life and health. Many people believe that childhood diseases are a thing of the past, however, diseases such as measles are still seen in Iowa every year. Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care provides vaccinations to children, adolescents and adults.

Child Immunizations
There are many ways to protect children as they grow. Car seats, covers on electrical cords, and playgrounds all provide your child with necessary protection. When it comes to childhood diseases, vaccinations are the best method to provide your child with needed protection. Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care offers vaccination through the state program called, Vaccine For Children (VFC). Children who meet the eligibility criteria can receive all their vaccinations at a minimal expense. A suggested donation is requested but not required to cover the cost of administration of the vaccine(s). Links to the recommended immunization schedules for children aged 0 through 6, children aged 7 through 18 years, recommended immunizations for babies and the schedule for immunization clinics at Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care are listed above.

Adolescent Immunization Program
Adolescents need to continue their immunization series and receive booster doses of vaccines for ongoing protection (immunity) against diseases. New vaccines have recently become available and are recommended for all adolescents. Immunizations have the potential to protect not only the health of adolescents but their friends, families, and communities. Adolescent vaccines include Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, human papilloma virus and meningococcal. Additional vaccines may be needed as catch-up doses if the adolescent was not fully vaccinated as a child. 

Adult Immunizations
Staying properly immunized against vaccine preventable diseases does not stop with children and adolescents. Buena Vista County Public Health and Home Care offers adult vaccinations for those who pay privately. Tetanus, dyptheria, pertussis, Hepatitis A and B and MMR are all available.

International Travel and Immunizations
Immunizations are necessary for protection from diseases that are still common in many parts of the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travelers' Health page offers information to assist travelers and their health-care providers to decide what vaccines are necessary to prevent illness during international travel. The CDC divides vaccines for travel into three categories: routine, recommended, and required.

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0-6 Yrs

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 7-18 Yrs

 

TDAP

Tetanus (LOCKJAW) CAUSES PAINFUL MUSCLE SPASMS AND STIFFNESS, USUALLY ALL OVER THE BODY.  It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow, or sometimes even breathe.  Tetanus kills about 1 out of 5 people who are infected.

DIPHTHERIA can cause a thick membrane to cover the back of the throat.  It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells which can lead to difficulty breathing, vomiting, and disturbed sleep.  It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing.  Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, including pneumonia and death.

These three diseases are all caused by bacteria.  Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person.  Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of any tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis containing vaccine should not get Td or Tdap.

 FREE Tdap:        To qualify you must have one of the following apply to you:

            200% below the poverty level

            You are uninsured – No insurance

                You are underinsured –          You have insurance with a deductible or your insurance

                                                            will not pay for any vaccinations.

                You are on Medicaid –           Government-funded health care:  a program funded by the

U.S. federal and state governments that pays the medical      expenses of people

You are on Medicare –                  A federal program that pays for certain health care expenses  for  People aged 65 or older.

 

Insurance, Medicaid or Medicare will NOT be billed for this vaccination.