Flu Shots and Flumist now available by appointment!

Supplies are limited, please call your local office for availability.

Immunization Clinic Schedule

All clinics offer immunizations by appointment. The immunization schedule is subject to change, for the most current schedule call your local office.

Childhood Immunization Changes Effective October 1, 2012

Due to a change in funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Idaho Immunization Program will no longer provide vaccine for the following:

• insured children who are not residents of Idaho

If your child fits into the above group, we will no longer be able to provide immunizations to your child. Uninsured children, living in states other than Idaho, may still receive vaccine through our clinics. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Immunization Requirements for Schools

2012-13 Guide To Immunization Requirements English  Spanish

School Exemption Form  English  Spanish

Immunization Signature Card
English    Spanish
Print, fill out, and bring to your Immunization appointment

Immunization Services Fees-FY 2013 effective July 1, 2012
(Protocol .151-C)

Influenza Information

Influenza

Each year, Seasonal Influenza, also known as "the flu," causes on average about 20,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. Most of those deaths are among seniors. Because flu season in the U.S. is generally from November to May and the vaccine generally lasts six months, vaccinations are best done in late October and early November. The following groups are high priority to be vaccinated every year:

• You are age 65 or older, no matter how healthy.

• You are living in a long-term care facility.

• You have serious long-term health problems like heart, lung, or kidney disease; diabetes; anemia or other blood disorders.

• Your immune system is weakened because of HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs, or treatment with drugs such as long-term steroids.

• You will be more than 3 months pregnant during flu season

• Children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months. Two shots are required the first year, given one month apart.

Influenza Vaccine

Arrival time for the vaccine varies each year, so please contact your local South Central Public Health District office to find out when we are offering immunization clinics. We normally hold clinics during late October, November, December, and into January. The Centers for Disease Control said that it is still valuable to receive the flu vaccine in December, January and even February. The peak influenza season in south central Idaho is late January through early March. Adults develop antibody protection against influenza infection about two weeks after vaccination.

Influenza viruses are spread from person-to-person primarily through the coughing and sneezing of infected persons. The abrupt onset of fever, headache, severe discomfort, muscle tenderness or pain, nonproductive cough, sore throat, and a very runny nose characterize influenza. Covering your mouth when coughing and washing your hands often are good ways to also protect yourself from getting the flu, or others spreading it.

For Adults

Immunizations are provided to adults in each public health office. These include overseas immunizations, pneumonia and influenza, and routine adult immunizations. Contact the public health office in your local community for information on charges, clinic times, or to obtain an appointment.

See Also:
Adult Immunizations

For Children

Vaccines help protect your child from many diseases. These diseases can cause serious health problems, including life-threatening illnesses, lasting disabilities, and brain damage. Some even cause death.

Children under age 2 are at special risk. They're more likely than older children to become very ill or disabled from a disease. That's why it's so important to vaccinate on time.

See Also:
Childhood Immunizations

Preparing for Your Child's Vaccinations

For High School Graduates

For high school graduates who may be going on to college, several vaccinations are now recommended. Seventeen states require proof of meningitis vaccination before college entrance. Students should be current on the following vaccinations before they reach age 19. See the Immunization Schedule for Graduates for more information.

See Also:
Recommendations on Graduate's Immunizations

Overseas Immunizations

South Central Public Health District offers immunizations for those traveling to foreign countries.
To make an appointment or for more information, contact your local public health office.

What You Should Know

A public health nurse advises the client of all shots recommended by the CDC and South Central Public Health District's medical director, or those that are normally required for each country they plan to visit. Travelers receive information about how to prevent insect bites and getting sick while traveling abroad.

The most common immunizations public health administers to overseas travelers are typhoid, hepatitis A, and yellow fever. In 1998, South Central Public Health District received 539 visits from clients seeking overseas immunizations. In 1999, the number of visits dropped to 476, but jumped back up in 2000 to 611 visits.

One advantage of receiving shots at South Central Public Health District is the client's ability to have his or her shots recorded in the SCPHD Immunization Registry, a computerized database of all immunizations received by adults and children in the eight-county region. Patient's immunization records are always available, whether public health or private providers administer the immunizations. If the client gives his or her consent, the data is also entered into the state's immunization tracking registry. If the client moves to another area of Idaho, his or her new physician or another public health office can look up in the statewide registry what shots the client has had and when.

The Least Expensive Life Insurance You Can Buy

Charges for overseas immunizations at public health are based on actual costs as reviewed and approved by the Board of Health. Charges include the price of the immunization, administration of the immunization, researching the client's required immunizations before his or her initial visit, and counseling the client on the best ways to avoid getting sick. It requires much less time to look up travel immunization recommendations for people going to western Europe or Mexico than it does for people going to Zaire.

For more information on immunization costs, click on the "Fees & Forms" tab above.

To schedule an appointment or for more information, contact your local public health office.

Links

CDC Traveler's Health Destination Map (information on immunizations needed when traveling to specific countries)

CDC Traveler's Health Information

International Travel Warnings from the U.S. Department of State

How Vaccines Work

Vaccines help:

• Strengthen the body's immune (defense) system. Vaccines cause the body to make antibodies. These antibodies help the body fight disease. Vaccines are usually given by injection (a shot).

• Protect your baby throughout childhood. Once vaccines are given, antibodies continue to fight diseases for months or years. Some vaccines can protect for life. Others may need to be repeated.

• Keep diseases from spreading. When you have your baby vaccinated, you'll also be helping to protect other babies, children, and adults!

Vaccine Accountability

South Central Public Health District is assuring that children who receive immunizations through the Vaccine for Children program receive at least one reminder about the importance of staying on time with vaccinations if they miss a scheduled immunization. Physicians should follow established standards for vaccine storage, handling, usage, and administration policies and guidelines. Call the lead nurse at your local public health office for more information.

Vaccine Myths

It's important to learn all you can about vaccines and vaccine safety. Start by getting the facts.

Myth: Breastfed babies don't need to be vaccinated

Breastfeeding has many benefits for babies. It can help protect them from certain illnesses, but only for a short time. Vaccines can protect your baby for a long time - often for life!

Myth: Vaccines cause sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

There is no known cause of SIDS. The age at which many children die from SIDS is similar to the age when vaccines are first recommended. This is a coincidence, not a connection.

Myth: A lot of children get hurt by vaccines

Severe side effects from vaccines are very rare. It's a much greater health risk not to get vaccinated. Some children may have mild side effects, such as crankiness or a slight fever. These usually only last a few hours. Getting the disease can be far more dangerous and
painful.

Myth: Diseases are rare now. Vaccines are not really necessary

Certain diseases are rare in the U.S. because of vaccines. If we stopped using vaccines, diseases would spread very quickly - and many children would become very ill.

Myth: It is dangerous to give so many vaccines at the same time.

Studies show that giving several vaccines at one visit is safe and effective.