Adult and Childhood Immunizations

Immunizations 

Vaccines provide the power to protect against preventable diseases. The Power to Protect webpage provides information about vaccinations to parents and guardians, as well as resources for health care providers. 

CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATIONS

Florida Department of Health in Indian River County provides childhood immunizations for residents of Indian River County. Immunizations are given to protect your child from disease. Florida law now requires all children entering a public or private school to be immunized with the following vaccines to protect against childhood dreaded diseases:

• DtaP Vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough)
• IPV Vaccine (Inactivated Polio)
• HIB Vaccine (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)
• Hepatitis B Vaccine
• MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Varivax Vaccine (Chicken pox)
• Td Vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria)
• Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
• Prevnar Vaccine (Pneumococcal Conjugate)

In addition, we also offer the following vaccines:

• Menactra Vaccine (Meningococcal)
• Hepatitis A
• Seasonal Influenza
• Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Rotavirus

Note: Please contact the clinic at 772-794-7425 to confirm current availability of vaccines.

CDC Recommended Immunization Schedules for Children and Adults webpage

FDOH Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Childcare Facilities, and Family Daycares webpage

Childhood immunizations may be free for children ages 2 months through 18 years who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.  Immunizations are required for children entering kindergarten and seventh grade, as well as high school students entering college, which requires certain vaccinations for college entry and dorm living.  Please contact your child's pediatrician or a local community health center for information on obtaining immunizations needed for school. 

When bringing your child in for immunizations, please bring their immunization record if they have never received immunizations at the Health Department or Gifford Health Center.  

For more information about childhood immunizations for parents, patients and providers, visit the Florida Department of Health Bureau of Immunization's immunization information webpage.

INFLUENZA (FLU) INFORMATION

Each year, a seasonal flu vaccine is routinely distributed to protect against the three flu viruses that are expected to be most common that year. 

Due to the wide availability of flu vaccine in Indian River County, the health department is no longer offering flu shots to the general public.  If you are a patient of the health department, please call the clinic for information on getting your flu shot.  If you are not a patient of the health department, please contact your health care provider for information on getting a flu shot.

Those who should get vaccinated for the flu include:

• Everyone 6 months of age and older, including anyone who received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and anyone who got sick with H1N1
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of having severe flu illness.  High risk persons include:  
  • People who care for children younger than 6 months of age, because children less than 6 months are too young to receive a flu vaccination and, therefore, are at high risk of having serious flu illness if they get the virus from someone close to them.
  • Young children 6 months and older, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
  • Vaccination is also important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high risk people to keep them from spreading the virus to those who are high risk.

As always, you can also help prevent the spread of the flu virus by:

• Always practicing good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands often with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as these are ways viruses can enter your body
• Sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your sleeve
• Staying home when sick and keeping sick children home from school

And remember, while it is important to get your flu shot to prevent you from getting sick, it is also important to get your flu shot to prevent others getting sick from you.  Be flu smart, do your part.  For more information about the flu virus and vaccine, visit the CDC Influenza webpage.

FOREIGN TRAVEL VACCINATIONS

The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County no longer provides travel vaccinations.

For a search of travel medicine clinics, visit the Centers for Disease Control's Find a Clinic web page.

For current travel health notices, visit the CDC's Travel Health Notices web page and for complete information on travel and your health, visit the CDC's Traveler's Health web page or the World Health Organization Travel and Health web page. 

Remember, BE WISE, Immunize!

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