Home>>Individual Health>>Immunizations

Adult Immunizations

Adult Immunization:
Who Needs it and Why Immunize?
The widespread implementation of childhood vaccination programs has substantially reduced the occurrence of many vaccine-preventable diseases. However, adults may be at risk of these diseases and their complications, if they escaped natural infection or have not been vaccinated with toxoids or vaccines against Diphtheria, Measles, Tetanus, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chicken pox) and Poliomyelitis.
In addition, other vaccine-preventable disease (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Rabies, Influenza, and Pneumococcal disease) may pose a risk to persons in certain age, occupational, environmental, and lifestyle groups and those with special health problems. Women of child-bearing age should be fully immunized to protect themselves and, in the case or pregnancy, there unborn child.
Travelers to some countries may also be at increased risk of exposure to vaccine-preventable illnesses. Foreign students, immigrants, and refugees may be susceptible to these diseases.

A systematic approach to vaccination is necessary to ensure that every adult is appropriately protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Every visit by an adult to a health-care provider should be an opportunity to review and up date immunizations status. Health care providers and individuals should maintain detailed records about each person's vaccination history.

Children Immunizations
Vaccines are an important part of your child's health care, and helps protect against serious diseases.

Immunization Saves Young Lives

Measles is the number one vaccine-preventable disease that kills infants worldwide. Failure to immunize can lead to new outbreaks of this disease. Between 1989 and 1991, a United States measles epidemic resulted in more than 55,000 reported cases, 11,000 hospitalizations and approximately 103 deaths. More than half of those deaths were infants. Pertussis remains as the only vaccine-preventable disease that has increased in incidence in the United States in the last 20 years.
Oregon's incidence has remained similar to that for the United States over the last few years until 2002 when it increased to 5.51/100,000 population, twice that of the United States at 2.72/100,000 http://www.Pertussis.com/. In the era before vaccines, millions of American children died from childhood diseases. Today children who are not immunized or up-to-date on their shots are still at risk of serious illness, particularly infants. Infants are more likely to suffer more complications - even death - if they contract a vaccine-preventable disease.
Age-appropriate immunization starts at birth and continues through adulthood, with special emphasis through age two. As the number of single-parent and dual-income families increase, more children are exposed to vaccine-preventable disease in day-care settings, making timely immunization even more critical.

Commonly Asked Questions About Childhood Immunization
Q: What diseases do immunizations protect against?

A: Measles, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Mumps, Rubella (German measles), Hepatitis-B, Haemophilius influenza type B (the most common type of serious spinal meningitis), Varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis A, Pneumococcal diseases and Influenza.
Q:How many shots are required to properly immunize my child by age 2?

A: Between 15-19 doses are due by a child's second birthday, requiring about four separate visits to health care providers.
Q: Are these diseases really a threat today?

A: Yes. Although these diseases are less common today, they still pose a serious threat to our children. Thanks to vaccines, we don't see them as often as we used to.
Q: Will vaccines make my child sick?

A: Most children have little or no problem after receiving the vaccines. After the DTaP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis) vaccines, some children will experience a fever, soreness, swelling or redness where the shot was given. Some children may also get cranky, drowsy, or lose their appetite during this time. These problems are usually mild and disappear within a day or two. If you are unsure as to whether your child has had all of his or her shots, check with your health care provider.
Baker County Health Department work follows state and federal guidelines to provide your family with the most current vaccine recommendations. Our staff will make a plan for your child's immunization needs.
When visiting the Health Department for immunizations, please bring a current shot record on each child and your current insurance card.

Contact Information
3330 Pocahontas Rd. Baker City
For appointments or questions call 523-8211
or www.cdc.gov
World Travel:
Contact www.cdc.gov or www.dhs.gov for more information