Q: Why does my baby need immunizations or baby shots? A: Getting baby shots will protect your baby from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, red measles, mumps, rubella, Hib disease, chicken pox and hepatitis B. These diseases can cause pain, fever, rashes, coughs, sore throats, hearing loss, blindness, crippling, brain damage and death. Q: Why does my baby have to get so many baby shots? A: There are different shots for different diseases.  Baby shots must be given at certain times to protect your baby from these diseases. See the schedule below. Q: I have not heard of some of the diseases. Are they a problem for my baby? A: YES, these diseases are a problem. Your baby could get any of these diseases like measles, mumps or pertussis if he/she does not get all of his/her baby shots on time. Baby shots work so well that we often do not see many people with these diseases. Q: Will baby shots make my baby sick? A: Some babies may be cranky, run a low fever, be sore, red or swollen where the shot was given. It is very rare for a child to get very sick after a shot. Call your health care provider right away if your child: has a very high fever, is very sleepy and hard to wake up, is very pale or limp, cries for 3 or more hours, jerks or cannot control how he or she moves. Q: Are baby shots going to hurt my baby? A: Getting any kind of shot can hurt a little—but it will only last a few moments. Hold and snuggle your baby after they get a shot. Tell your child how good they were and that everything is okay. Remember, baby shots protect against dangerous diseases. Q:When can my baby go back to day care after getting baby shots? A: Your baby may return to day care right after you leave the health care provider's office. There is no reason to keep them out of day care after getting shots. Some parents take their babies for shots on days that will give them more time together afterward. It's up to you. Q: How much do baby shots cost? A: There is no charge for baby shots at the Wilson County Department of Public Health. Q: When can I bring my baby in for a shot? A: Call the Health Department at 237-3141 and make an appointment. Also, look for special immunization clinics that may be held in the evenings. REMEMBER, giving your baby their shots on time gives your baby a healthy start! Your baby is counting on you. Be smart from the start. Health is the Prize when you Immunize! IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE AGE IMMUNIZATION At Birth hepatitis B 1-2 months hepatitis B 2 months DTAP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), IPV (injectable polio vaccine), Hib (haemophilus influenza type b) Prevnar (Pneumococcal Conjugate) Age Immunization 4 months DTAP, IPV, Hib, Prevnar 6 months DTAP, hepatitis B, Hib, Prevnar 12 months MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), IPV Varicella (chicken pox vaccine), Hib Prevnar 15 months DTAP Before school 4-6 yrs. old DTAP, IPV,MMR 11-12 yrs. old (then every ten years) Adult Booster Td (tetanus, diphtheria) ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS Why do Adults need Immunizations? Many people think immunizations or 'shots' are just for kids. Adults also need immunizations to help protect them against certain diseases. Sometimes adult shots make up for shots not given during childhood. And, sometimes they 'boost' protection that may be wearing off. What shots do adults need? Like children, it depends upon age. An adult's health, work and lifestyle also affect which shots are needed. Are there side effects to adult shots? Adult and childhood vaccines are among the safest and most effective medicines available. Common side effects in adults are a low fever and/or a sore arm. Vaccines will not interfere with your current medicines. Talk with your HealthCare provider if you have any questions about which immunizations are recommended for You! What Adult Immunization Services are available at the Health Department? The Wilson County Department of Public Health provides adult immunizations daily, Monday through Friday, by appointment. Vaccines available: Adult Tetanus Diphtheria Hepatitis A & B Measles, Mumps, Rubella Pneumococcal Influenza Rabies -pre-exposure Meningococcal Travel Vaccinations * see travel immunization information How much do adult shots cost? Fees vary according to the vaccine requested. Please call our Billing Dept. for more information on fees. TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT OR GET MORE INFORMATION ON ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS, CALL: 237-3141. "ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES" SIXTH-GRADE SCHOOL-SITE HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION INITIATIVE In 1995, the state Division of Women and Children's Health Services, Immunization Section, launched a program aimed at reducing the number of people infected with Hepatitis B. The campaign , "Roll up Your Sleeves", is centered around administering Hep B vaccine to sixth-grade students statewide. Since 1995, the Wilson County Department of Public Health has collaborated with the public and private schools to bring "Roll up Your Sleeves" to the sixth-graders in our county. An Immunization Team visits each school and provides the free vaccine, on-site, to those students with parental permission. Why should my child participate? Hepatitis B is a serious disease which can attack the liver and, in some cases, cause severe illness. A vaccine has been developed which can protect individuals against this disease. The Hepatitis B vaccine must be given in three separate doses over a six-month period. The vaccine is provided FREE of charge, and given by nurses from the Wilson County Department of Public Health to students who have written parental permission. How Do I give Permission? Hepatitis B information packets go out to students in August. Be on the look out for the parent notification information and consent forms! Return your completed forms promptly. What Additional Immunization Services are being offered to my Sixth-Grader? Td (tetanus - diphtheria)) booster vaccines are available for children who have not already received them. Td will be given to those with signed consents. Participating Schools: Eastern N.C. School for the Deaf Greenfield School Sallie B. Howard School Wilson Christian Academy Wilson County Schools For more information on the "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Campaign, call 237-3141 IMMUNIZATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Are you planning a trip outside the U.S.? There maybe recommended, as well as, required immunizations to ensure your safety while traveling abroad. What "shots" will I need? The Wilson County Department of Public Health can provide consultations to Travelers based on immunization status and travel destinations. The Nurses will share the CDC's Health Information for International Travel guidelines and help you complete your travel plans by getting the immunizations you need. Travel vaccines are offered daily, Monday through Friday, by appointment. When should I get my travel shots? Vaccines require time for adequate antibody response and are often given in a series requiring waiting time between doses. Check on your requirements and recommendations as soon as you know your travel plans. What do I need to bring to my travel shot appointment? Be sure to bring your travel itinerary in the order in which the countries will be visited. Also bring any record of previous immunizations…your shot record. What Travel Vaccines are available at the Health Department? Yellow Fever Immune Globulin Hepatitis A Measles, Mumps, Rubella Adult Tetanus/Diphtheria Typhoid Vaccine Inactivated Polio Meningococcal Rabies (pre-exposure) How much do Travel Vaccines Cost? Fees vary according to the vaccine requested. Please call our Billing Dept. for fee information. 252-237-3141 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TRAVEL VACCINES CALL 252-237-3141