Adult Immunizations

Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurses Association, Inc. offers adult immunizations.

Center for Disease Control - CDC: http://www.cdc.gov

CHECK OUT OUR 2007 FLU INFORMATION CLICK HERE! 

WHAT VACCINES DO YOU NEED?

Did you know that certain vaccines are recommended for adults and adolescents?* Take this quiz to find out which vaccines YOU may need. * This quiz provides information for people age 11 years and older. CLICK HERE

Zostavax, The Shingles Vaccine, is now available

Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, is now available at Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) for adults age 60 and over. The vaccine helps to prevent shingles and can also reduce the pain associated with shingles. VNA will offer the vaccination for $190 per shot. The shot is not covered by Medicare at this time. In some cases, VNA can provide the vaccine free of charge to uninsured, low income adults through Merck's Patient Assistance Program. For more information call the VNA is Steamboat Springs, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 at 879-1632 or in Craig, 745 Russell Street at 824-8233.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available through the Colorado Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for VFC eligible females 9-18 years of age. The vaccine protects against four major types of HPV. These include types of HPV that cause approximately 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts. HPV is spread through sexual contact. Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association provides vaccinations for children under age 19 years on a sliding scale of 0-$14.50/shot. No child will be refused a vaccine due to an inability to pay. Additionally, VNA can provide the vaccine to eligible low income women age 19-26 years old that have no insurance under Merck's Patient Assistance Program. For more information call the VNA is Steamboat Springs, 940 Central Park Drive, Suite 101 at 879-1632 or in Craig, 745 Russell Street at 824-8233

Appointments:
Steamboat - 970-879-1632
Craig - 970-824-8233

Why Get Immunized?
To protect yourself:

• Every year in the U.S. 50,000 to 70,000 adults die from illnesses that can be prevented by vaccines.
• Many "childhood" illnesses have more severe symptoms if you catch them as an adult.
• Vaccines can prevent some illnesses that are difficult to treat.
• Immunizations are required for Colorado colleges, certain jobs and for travel to some foreign countries.
• Prior vaccines can help you stay healthier if your immune system later becomes compromised (as with HIV infection.)
• Unvaccinated people carry disease into the community and expose others even before they have symptoms.
  

To protect others:

• If you get sick, you could infect other people. Newborns, the elderly and people with cancer or other chronic health problems are especially vulnerable.
• Some illnesses can cause birth defects if the mother gets them while pregnant.

Are Vaccines Safe?
To be approved for use, vaccines must be shown to be safe and effective. Some vaccines have side effects, such as soreness around the injection or mild achiness. Very rarely, a person will have more severe side effects.

Overall, the risk of harm from getting sick far outweighs the risk of getting the vaccine that protects you.

Many illnesses that can be prevented with vaccines - including meningitis, tetanus and rabies - are incurable or fatal if you get infected.

Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been wiped out, and there have been no cases of polio in North America or Western Europe since 1991. Polio vaccination is recommended for travel to certain countries

If you need any vaccines, talk to your health care provider about side effects. Be sure to let your provider know if you are pregnant or planning to be, or if you have a chronic illness. Vaccines are strictly regulated and are very safe.

Some vaccines are made using eggs, and some contain the antibiotics neomycin or streptomycin. If you have allergies to these, be sure to say so.

If you are traveling, check out our International Travel Immunization Service

More Information about adult immunizations

• www.immunize.org
• www.cdc.gov/nip
• Or call 1-800-CDC-SHOT