Flu shots are available from September to May

Available for ages 13 and older

What is the Flu?

The flu (influenza) is a potentially serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and death. Each year, millions get the flu, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized, and thousands die from flu-related causes. The best protection is an annual flu vaccine, which reduces the risk of flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and flu-related deaths, especially in children.

Get your flu vaccine before the flu starts spreading in your community, ideally by the end of October. It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop after vaccination. Vaccination is recommended throughout the flu season, even into January or later. Children needing two doses should start early, as doses must be four weeks apart.

Hepatitis B vaccines are available year-round

Available for ages 18 and older

What is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can lead to chronic disease, liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis. Vaccination is the best protection against hepatitis B, reducing the risk of infection and its severe consequences.

Adults recommended to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine include those at risk of infection through sexual exposure, such as sex partners of HBsAg-positive persons, sexually active individuals not in long-term monogamous relationships, those seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and men who have sex with men. It is also crucial for individuals at risk due to blood exposure, including current or recent injection-drug users, household contacts of HBsAg-positive persons, residents and staff of facilities for developmentally disabled persons, healthcare and public safety workers, hemodialysis patients, and individuals with diabetes aged 19-59 (and those 60+ at the clinician's discretion). Other groups recommended for the vaccine include international travelers to regions with high HBV infection rates, persons with hepatitis C, chronic liver disease, HIV infection, and those who are incarcerated. Additionally, anyone seeking protection from HBV infection should consider vaccination.

MMR vaccines are available year-round

Available for ages 18 and older

What is MMR?

The MMR vaccine protects against three serious diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles can cause severe respiratory illness and complications, mumps can lead to swelling of the salivary glands and other organs, and rubella can cause birth defects if a woman is infected during pregnancy. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent these diseases and their complications.

Adults recommended to receive the MMR vaccine include those who do not have evidence of immunity, such as individuals who have not received the vaccine or who have not had these diseases. It is particularly important for healthcare workers, international travelers, college students, and women of childbearing age to be vaccinated. Additionally, anyone born after 1957 who does not have immunity should consider getting the vaccine to protect themselves and those around them.

Shingles accines are available year-round

Available for ages 50 and older

The vaccine is given in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart.

What is Shingles?

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful rash caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. It typically appears as a stripe of blisters on one side of the body, often around the torso, but can also affect the face, eyes, or other parts of the body. Shingles can cause severe pain, itching, and long-lasting nerve pain called postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Even if you did not have chickenpox as a child, you should still get the shingles vaccine, as it is 97% effective at preventing the disease.

Adults aged 50 and older are recommended to receive the shingles vaccine, which is given in two doses, 2 to 6 months apart. The vaccine not only reduces the risk of developing shingles but also decreases the severity and duration of the disease if it does occur. Additionally, vaccination can help prevent complications such as PHN, which can be debilitating and last for months or even years.

Tetanus vaccines are available year-round

Available for ages 18 and older

Booster doses are recommended every 10 years, with a primary series of three doses for those never vaccinated.

What is Tetanus?

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a serious bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani. The bacteria produce a toxin that affects the nervous system, leading to painful muscle stiffness and spasms, particularly in the jaw and neck. Tetanus can result from cuts, puncture wounds, or burns that become contaminated with the bacteria. Without treatment, tetanus can cause severe complications, including difficulty breathing, fractures due to severe muscle spasms, and even death. It is a preventable disease with effective vaccination being the best form of protection.

The tetanus vaccine is an essential part of maintaining immunity against this dangerous infection. Adults should receive a tetanus booster every 10 years to ensure ongoing protection. For those who have never been vaccinated, a primary series of three doses is recommended: the first two doses are spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a third dose 6 to 12 months later. Additionally, in case of a deep or dirty wound, a booster may be required if it has been more than 5 years since the last dose.

Varicella vaccines are available year-round

Available for ages 18 and olderItem description

For individuals 13+ without prior vaccination or chickenpox: two doses 28 days apart.

What is Chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It can cause an itchy rash, fever, and fatigue, and can lead to serious complications, especially in adults and those with weakened immune systems. Vaccination is the best way to prevent chickenpox and its potential complications.

Adults recommended to receive the varicella vaccine include those who have never had chickenpox or the vaccine, particularly healthcare workers, teachers, childcare workers, college students, international travelers, military personnel, and adults living with children or immunocompromised individuals. It is also crucial for women of childbearing age who are not pregnant and those who have not previously been vaccinated.