Immunizations

Immunization is the most important thing you can do to prevent death or disability!

Traveling? Working? Attending classes? Health care worker? Day care worker? Sexually active? Factory/construction worker? Live in the residence halls? Share an apartment? To prevent disease get vaccinated before you are exposed.

Don't know your immunization status? We can help.

Call the Health Services at 262-472-1300 for an appointment for a free immunization review. Let us help you find the information and fill out a wallet card you can carry with you so you always know anywhere, anytime.

The following immunizations are available at UHCS:
(for current prices see Fees list)

Influenza vaccination is available as a shot or a nasally inhaled mist. It is given every year in the fall. The mist can be given to persons age 5-50. You can discuss with a UHCS provider whether this would be an appropriate option for you.. Call 472-1300 for an appointment.

This immunization is especially important for those at high risk of serious complications of the disease. That includes:
- People who are 50 years old or older. Even if you are active and in good health, you have a higher risk of complications if you get the flu. Each year about 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu.

-People with chronic (ongoing) or long-term health problems. You may look and feel healthy, but if you have a condition like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or asthma, you are more likely to have complications from the flu. If your immune system is weakened by long-term problems like cancer or HIV/AIDS, you need a flu shot (the flu shot is safe for people with weak immune systems).

-Women who are pregnant during flu season (typically November through March). Pregnant women are at risk of complications and hospitalization if they get the flu. The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies. Protect yourself and your baby by getting vaccinated.

-Children under 5 years old. Children under 5 years old have a high risk of emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to flu.

Influenza (flu) is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs. It can make you sick for a week or longer with coughing, fever, aching, and more. And it can lead to pneumonia. You should get your influenza vaccination every year.

If you live with or take care of people at high risk, it is especially important that you get vaccinated too. When you protect yourself, you help protect your family and friends.

Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention More information on influenza and prevention

Td (tetanus-diphtheria)
Given in a series of 3 (if not immunized in childhood) and a booster every 10 years (or 5 years with a dirty cut).

Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis)
Given as a booster in place of Td. It is recommended that adolescents and adults receive this booster once. It is a combination vaccine to tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough).

- MMR (Mumps, Measles, Rubella (German or 3 day measles),
Given in a series of 2 doses after 1 year of age, both doses must have been received after 1967. A third shot is not recommended.

This vaccine may not be needed if you have other indication of immunity. This can be discussed with a UHCS provider.

Measles update 4-10-08 see pages 12-13

- Hepatitis B
Given in a series of 3 shots

Recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children & adolescents

Recommended for adults at higher risk, including:

• persons having unprotected sex with more than one partner
• health care workers or others with increased risk of blood exposure
• persons who are natives of or spend large amounts of time in areaswhere Hepatitis B is endemic
• IV drug users

- Hepatitis A
Given in a series of 2 shots

Recommended for

• People who travel to areas where Hepatitis A is common
• Men who have sex with men
• persons who use street drugs
• Persons with chronic disease
• Person with clotting factor disorders

Persons needing immunization to both Hepatitis A and B may want to consider a combined vaccine.

- Meningoccal Vaccine
Given in a single shot.
The American College Health Association advises that college students, especially for first year students living in the residence halls, be immunized.

-HPV vaccine
Given as a series of three shots.
The vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain types of genital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is now available at UHCS for $135 (price subject to change) for each injection. A total of 3 shots is needed over a 6 month period. Call 262-472-1300 for an appointment. HPV Vaccine Questions and Answers

THE FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT JEFFERSON COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES

- Varicella (chickenpox)
Given as a series of 2 shots
Recommended for persons who have not had chickenpox.

More information on all these diseases and their immunizations

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This site is not meant to replace the advice of a health care or counseling professional. You should not rely on any information on these pages, or information generated for you by this site, to replace consultations with qualified professionals regarding your own specific situation.

Some links take you to a source outside of UHCS. The owners of that site, not UHCS, are responsible for the content.

For health care questions, do not email, please call 262-472-1300 menu option 4

Updated: 09/22/2008

University Health & Counseling Services
For Comments: brueggek@uww.edu