Practice Prevention at the Pennyrile Health Department
Keep your child’s immunizations on track!
You hear a lot about vaccinations online, but what’s best for your child?
It can be hard to sift through all the information and opinions that are floating around. We never want parents to feel forced into immunizing their children, but we do believe in helping you make an informed decision.
Do we recommend the immunization schedule below? Absolutely!
Your child has the potential to develop severe infections and diseases that can be prevented. Diphtheria can cause swelling of your child’s heart muscle or even paralysis. Hepatitis A could lead to liver failure or pancreatic disorders. Measles can cause brain swelling or pneumonia. And in extreme cases, these can cause death. It’s why the health department works so hard to bring these immunizations to every child in our community. We’re here to help your family remain healthy! If you want to see all of the symptoms and potential complications with each disease, please see this chart.
Have questions and concerns? That’s natural and we’re proud you’re taking your child’s health seriously. Our main goal is to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your family. Give us a call and let’s talk through it!
Here are few things you may not know:
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- Our immunization schedule hasn’t changed much over the years. It’s remained the golden standard for keeping our children and our greater community healthy. About 10 years ago we did add a second dose of the Chickenpox shot, but that’s about it.
- We try to minimize the number of sticks your child experiences. For 2 month and 4 month shots, we’re able to give in 2 doses instead of 4, making it more tolerable for baby and parent. This may not be available at your primary care provider.
- Every shot (at the health department) is administered by a registered nurse (this is not the norm).
- Some primary care providers may not see your child if their immunizations are not up to date.
- When you go outside the recommended schedule it’s much harder on the child when they have to get 4-5 shots at a time. The schedule is set up so it’s manageable and consistent.
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Follow our immunization and well visit schedule below:
NOTE: If you are behind on any of the immunizations listed below, please give us a call so we can build an alternative schedule for your child. It’s never too late to protect your child from infection!
KEEP YOUR CHILD ON TRACK!
Well Child Visit
Immunization
Lead Screen
Vision Screen
Hearing Screen
AGE
VISIT NEEDS
IMMUNIZATIONS
NEWBORN
HEPATITIS B
2, 4 & 6 MONTHS
DTAP, HEPATITIS B, PCV, ROTAVIRUS, IPV
9 MONTHS
12 MONTHS
HEPATITIS A, HIB, PCV
15 MONTHS
DTAP, VARICELLA, MMR
18 MONTHS
HEPATITIS A
2 YEARS
3 YEARS
4 YEARS
DTAP, IPV, VARICELLA, MMR
5-10 YEARS
11 YEARS
HPV (IN 2-3 DOSES ACROSS A 6 MONTH SPAN), TDAP, MENINGOCOCCAL
12-15 YEARS
16 YEARS
MENINGOCOCCAL, MenB
17-18 YEARS
Do you offer other services to children and families?
We do! We’ve found many people don’t know that we are here for everyone in the Pennyrile district. Note, that we’re not called the “sick” department, our main goal is to help prevent infections and diseases so you live your healthiest life. We serve every member of the community, regardless of age or income. From well visits, to fluoride treatments to family support programs like HANDS and WIC, we have many different services available to Pennyrile district families. You can learn more here.
protecting the environment, providing preventive health
services, and educating our communities to promote
healthier lifestyles.
available to all qualified persons regardless of race, creed,
color, sex, country of origin, or disability.