Immunizations
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Vaccine preventable diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough) and measles are commonly thought to be a thing of the past. Unfortunately this is not true, and the need to continue to immunize against these and many other diseases continues to persist. Today, safe and effective vaccines are available to protect against chicken pox, diphtheria, haemophilus influenza type b, hepatitis A & B, human papilomavirus, influenza, measles, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, and other diseases which foreign travelers might be exposed.
Immunization Schedules
Immunizations help protect your child's health. Children who are not immunized are at risk for diseases which can sometimes be fatal. Children should receive most of their vaccinations by the time they are 18 months old, with additional vaccinations required before going to kindergarten, and again at 11 – 12 years of age. It is important that children are fully immunized on time to be protected from disease. If you or your child have missed one or more doses of vaccine, it is never too late to catch up. See your healthcare provider to get back on track.
While most people think immunizations are just for children, immunizations are important for people of all ages. Adults should receive a booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td) vaccine every 10 years, at least one booster dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and may need additional vaccinations based on their age, disease risks and health status.
Clinic Hours, Locations and Phone Numbers
Kent County Health Department has 6 clinic locations throughout the county so you may receive routine immunization services at a location convenient to you. All clinics are open Monday through Friday, however hours vary by location. TB tests are not administered on Thursdays and at certain times prior to a holiday. Test results must be verified by a public health nurse within 48 to 72 hours after administration.
Fees
Receiving routine vaccinations does not have to be expensive. At Kent County Health Department, individuals who qualify through special programs; the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) or the Michigan Vaccine Replacement Program (MI-VRP) are eligible to receive the vaccine free of charge. However, a sliding scale vaccine administration fee (currently $0 - $10) may be charged for each injection given. Please review the current Insurance information below and fee schedule for more details. The Kent County Health Department accepts cash, check, MasterCard or Visa.
Insurance
Many health insurance plans cover routine immunizations. The Kent County Health Department bills only Medicaid for vaccines, if it is the client’s primary insurance and the Medicaid plan covers routine immunizations. If the client is fully insured by a company other than Medicaid, vaccines will be administered at the current fee schedule. Clients with no insurance or those who have insurance without coverage for routine immunizations may be charged a sliding scale vaccine administration fee (currently $0 - $10 per vaccine) based upon income. Check with the clinic to verify which vaccines qualify for this sliding fee scale. Please contact your insurance company prior to visiting any Kent County Health Department clinic so you are fully informed regarding your current coverage. This will allow us to serve you more efficiently during your visit.
Travel Immunizations
The Kent County Health Department provides foreign travel vaccines in accordance with CDC recommendations for individuals traveling outside the United States. Travel shots are by appointment only at the Fuller clinic location. Travelers are encouraged to call (616) 632-6990 at least two months prior to traveling or as soon as they are aware of a trip abroad. Please leave your name, contact information, the date and place of travel on the automated system. A public health nurse will return your call and assist you with your travel vaccination needs. Please bring a current immunization record with you to your travel appointment. Most insurance companies do not cover travel vaccines. Kent County Health Department accepts cash, check, MasterCard or Visa. Please see our current fee schedule for detailed pricing information.
Additional Sources of Immunization Information
There are several sources of accurate and scientifically based information on the internet. Click here for more information.
