Immunizations-original

Infant & Child Immunizations

Without immunizations, diseases we are now protected against could easily return.

Did you know?

  • Immunizations are one of the most important ways people can be protected against serious, preventable infectious diseases.
  • Immunizations are extremely safe as a result of advances in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials.
  • Immunizations are recommended for infants, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic health problems because they are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.
  • While small risks accompany every immunization, people are far more likely to be seriously harmed by vaccine-preventable diseases than by the recommended immunizations that prevent them.
  • Medical advances have resulted in the availability of additional safe and effective vaccines.  Now, people can be protected against a greater number of serious preventable diseases.
  • Immunization benefits not just the individual, but also the community.  Communicable infectious diseases spread among people who have not been immunized, and among the small percentage of people for whom the immunization may not have been fully effective.
  • Immunizations work by strengthening the body's own immune system.
  • While breastfeeding and vitamins have health benefits, they do not replace the benefits of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.

Immunization Clinics

Immunization clinics at Mid-Michigan District Health Department provide infant and child vaccinations as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP). Appointments are preferred. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call:

Clinton County: 989-224-2195, option 5 and then option 2
Gratiot County: 989-875-3681, option 5 and then option 2
Montcalm County: 989-831-5237, option 5 and then option 2

 

Immunizations

Maternal Vaccines

Without immunizations, diseases we are now protected against could easily return.

Did you know?

Immunizations While Pregnant

  • Immunizations and vaccines are one of the most important ways to protect yourself and your unborn child(ren) against serious, preventable infectious diseases.
  • Immunizations are extremely safe as a result of advances in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials.
  • While small risks accompany every immunization, pregnant women are far more likely to be seriously harmed by vaccine-preventable diseases than by the recommended immunizations that prevent them.
  • Medical advances have resulted in the availability of additional safe and effective vaccines.  Now, people can be protected against a greater number of serious preventable diseases.
  • Immunization benefits not just the individual, but also the community.  Communicable infectious diseases spread among people who have not been immunized, and among the small percentage of people for whom the immunization may not have been fully effective.
  • Immunizations work by strengthening the body's own immune system.
  • While breastfeeding and vitamins have health benefits, they do not replace the benefits of vaccines in preventing infectious diseases.

Child and Adolescent Immunization

Children are required to be immunized by federal and state laws.  The following tables show immunizations required for Michigan preschool and school settings:

You can get more information on this at the website of Michigan Care Improvement Registry  (MCIR). Healthcare Providers in Michigan should follow the current Recommended Immunization Schedules

The following is a list of websites that have relevant child and adolescent immunization information.

College Bound? Think Ahead and Be Prepared.

The following are normally required prior to the start of college.

  • Tetanus-Diptheria-Perussis
  • Meningococcal
  • HPV Series
  • Hepatitis B Series
  • Hepatitis A Series
  • Polio Series
  • MMR Series
  • Varicella Series
  • Infuenza
  • Pneumococcal

Students attending college out-state or traveling to other countries, please check to see which vaccines are recommended in those areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

 

My child missed some of their shots. Do they need to start over?

No. You can continue the series where you left off. Remember that delaying or refusing vaccines can put a child at risk for disease.

Can my child get their shots if they have a cold or ear infections?

Mild illness or fever is not a reason to delay immunizations. If you have questions, call and speak to the clinic nurse.

Is it safe to get so many shots at once?

Careful and thorough studies show that getting many vaccines on the same day does not decrease their effectiveness or increase side effects.

What side effects will my child have when getting their shots?

Most side effects are very mild and may include a slight fever, fussiness or some redness and soreness at the injection site.

Why does my child need chicken pox vaccine? Isn't it better to get the disease?

Chicken pox infection begins with fever and then a blistering rash breaks out. On average, people get 250-500 of these itchy blister. Most people survive without any problems, but it can have complications such as pneumonia, brain or skin infections, and death.

The vaccine has only minor side effects and is 95 percent effective. People who have had vaccine instead of disease are four to five times less likely to get shingles and if they do, it is a milder case without complications.

Where can I get the flu shot?

Flu clinic information will be posted on this site. You may also call the branch office nearest you for dates and times of clinics in your area.

What does VFC stand for and who is eligible for it?

VFC stands for "Vaccines for Children" and they are free.  The VFC Basic and Expanded programs are designed to keep qualified children in their medical home for basic preventive services and to reduce the barriers to getting children immunized.  If your child is 18 years of age or younger, and meets one of the following conditions:

  • is American Indian or Alaskan Native
  • is enrolled in Medicaid
  • has no health insurance
  • is under-insured

he/she is eligible for the VFC programs with the exception that he/she has private health insurance, including MI-Child or any commercially purchased managed health care plan, with immunization coverage.

Definition for Under-Insured: For the purposes of determining eligibility for VFC, children are considered to be under-insured if the child's insurance does not cover any reimbursement for the cost of the vaccinations.  A child with health insurance that has no immunization coverage at the time the child presents is considered to be under-insured and eligible to receive VFC vaccine.

Adverse Event Reporting?

Adverse events reported to providers after vaccination should be submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS)  according to state guidelines. For more information and reporting forms, please contact VAERS at (800) 822-7967 or visit the VAERS website .

Immunization Quick Links

 Links for Providers

Other Immunization Related Links

Vaccines for Travel

Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR)

 

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) is a lifespan registry including citizens of all ages in the MCIR. MCIR benefits health care organizations, schools, licensed childcare programs, pharmacies and Michigan’s citizens by consolidating immunization information from multiple providers into a comprehensive immunization record. This consolidation reduces vaccine-preventable diseases and over-vaccination, allowing providers to view up-to-date patient immunization history in one system.