Immunization Program
Child and adult immunizations
 |
Public Health clinics provide routine immunizations for children 6 weeks through 18 years of age through the public-funded "Vaccines For Children" program.
Public Health clinics also provide immunizations for adults age 19 and over (age 20 and over for hepatitis B.)
|
Public Health Immunization Clinics
Child schedules for 2008:
Adult schedule for 2008:
Public Health clinics provide routine immunizations for children 6 weeks to 19 years of age (to age 20 years for hepatitis B) through the public-funded "Vaccines For Children" program.
Public health clinics purchase vaccine in order to provide routine immunizations to adults age 19 years and older (20 years and older for hepatitis B), vaccines for travelers and for those with specific medical conditions.
DTaP, pediatric DT, Td, Tdap
|
DTaP contains diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccines for children age 6 weeks through 6 years. Pediatric DT contains diphtheria and tetanus without the pertussis components for children age 6 weeks through 6 years. "Adult" Td contains tetanus and a smaller amount of diphtheria than the pediatric version and is used for children age 7 years through adulthood. TdaP contains tetanus, a smaller amount of diphtheria than the pediatric version and is used for adolescents and adults. One brand is licensed for age 10 through 18 years and the second brand is licensed for age 11 through 64 years.
Hib (Hæmophilus influenzæ type b)
|
Hib vaccine is recommended routinely for children age 6 weeks through 4 years, but also may be given to older children and adults who have a poorly functioning spleen or no spleen.
HPV (Human papillomavirus) vaccine
|
HPV vaccine is an inactivated (not live) vaccine that can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. Most HPV infections don’t cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV is important mainly because it can cause cervical cancer in women. Every year in the U.S. about 10,000 women get cervical cancer and 3,700 die from it. It is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In King County, an average of 57 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer each year between 1998 and 2002 and an average of 15 King County women died from cervical cancer each year between 1999 and 2003.
Gardasil, the new HPV vaccine from Merck has been available through some providers since it was licensed in June 2006. It is recommended for females age 9 through 26 years. As of May 1, 2007 the vaccine can be ordered by health care providers through the WA State Vaccines For Children (VFC) program for females ages 9 years to the 19th birthday. Privately-purchased vaccine for women ages 19 to 26 years is available through many clinics and health care providers in the community--check with your health care provider. A partial list of community health care providers and pharmacies with HPV vaccine is available here.
Three doses of the HPV vaccine, given over six months time, should be routinely given to girls when they are 11 or 12 years old. However, girls and women up to age 26 will also benefit from getting the vaccine. The vaccine should be administered before onset of sexual activity (i.e., before women are exposed to the viruses), but females who are sexually active should still be vaccinated.
More information:
Where to get vaccine:
Girls from the ages of 9-18 years old can get the vaccine from many local health care providers and at Public Health Centers. The vaccine is free, and an office and/or administrative fee may apply.
For 19-26 year olds, the HPV vaccine is available through some community health care providers and pharmacies. The vaccine is not free, but some health insurance providers may cover the cost.
Washington passed a law, RCW 70.95M.115, that restricts the use of vaccines that contain thimerosal for children under 3 years of age and for pregnant women, effective July 1, 2007. The law affects flu vaccine in multiple-dose vials, meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. Information about RCW 70.95M.115 (PDF).
How does this law affect flu vaccine?
| 1. |
If you are pregnant or become pregnant after July 1, 2007, you must get a mercury-free flu shot (a flu shot with no more than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose). |
| 2. |
If you have a child who will be under three years of age after July 1, 2007, he or she must get a mercury-free flu shot (a flu shot with no more than 1.0 microgram of mercury per 0.5 milliliter dose). |
Related links:
There are two meningococcal vaccines—meningococcal conjugate vaccine called Menactra and meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine called Menomune. Menactra is licensed for age 11-55 years and is routinely recommended for all adolescents age 11 through 18 years and for college freshmen living in dormitories, if they haven’t already received it. Menomune is licensed for age 2 years and older. Both vaccines are used for travelers to certain areas and people with specific medical conditions.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
|
Public Health - Seattle & King County fact sheets:
After decades of decline due to widespread vaccination, pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is making a global comeback. Last year, there were about 11,000 cases of the disease reported in the United States, the highest number in 30 years, according to a preliminary count from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The reason for the rise in whooping cough is unknown, but experts say outbreaks occurring largely among teenagers and adults could be attributed to the fact that immunity from the pertussis vaccine starts to wane about five to 10 years after the last dose is administered through age six years.
One company, GlaxoSmithKline, has already responded by asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the sale of a pertussis booster shot. Vaccine manufacturer Aventis Pasteur has similar plans to include the pertussis vaccine in a tetanus and diphtheria booster for older patients aged 11 through 64 years.
Public Health - Seattle & King County pertussis fact sheets in multiple languages:
Polio (IPV, inactivated polio)
|
This vaccine may be given to adults and children as pre-exposure (travel, certain occupations or activities) or post-exposure (usually an animal bite).
- Shingles disease—questions and answers
- Vaccine information (PDF)
- Where to get shingles vaccine: Public Health clinics currently do not carry Zostavax (shingles vaccine). Many pharmacies and some health care providers have or can order the vaccine. Medicare Part B will cover the administration fee. Medicare Part D may cover the vaccine cost, depending on which plan you have.
|
