Immunization Services

Flu Season

Getting a flu vaccine can be an essential part of protecting your health and your family’s health this season. This year, flu vaccination is very important because it can reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the community. By reducing the severity and impact of influenza, we hope to lessen the amount of preventable medical visits and hospitalizations. In turn, this will lessen the burden on the healthcare system and allow for resources to be used to fight COVID-19.

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Pediatric Immunizations

These are challenging times, but you have the power to help keep your child healthy.
Making sure that your child sees their doctor for well-child visits and recommended vaccines is one of the best things you can do to protect your child and community from serious diseases that are easily spread.

Well-child visits and recommended vaccinations are essential and help make sure children stay healthy and are protected. Children who are not protected by vaccines are more likely to get diseases like measles and whooping cough. These diseases are extremely contagious and can be very serious, especially for babies and young children. In recent years, there have been outbreaks of these diseases, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. As schools, day cares, and camps begin to reopen and offer in-person learning and care, it’s particularly important for parents to work with their child’s doctor or nurse to make sure they get caught up on missed well-child visits and recommended vaccines.

Pediatric Immunization Resources
The State of Wisconsin DHS 144 states the required immunization of students. http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dhs/110/144/  .

Proof of immunization can be provided to the schools with a Student Immunization Record,
 https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f04020l.pdf#page=1&zoom=auto,-150,798

The State of Wisconsin maintains an electronic immunization registry (WIR) at https://www.dhswir.org/PR/clientSearch.do?language=en for residents who have received immunizations within the state of Wisconsin. 

For more information on which vaccines your child needs go to: Recommended Vaccinations for 2024
In Español: Vacunas recomendadas para 2024
For more information about the Vaccines for Children program in Wisconsin go to: Vaccines for Children

If you had a reaction following a vaccination, contact your healthcare provider and report an Adverse Event using the VAERS online form or their downloadable PDF.

How Do Vaccines Protect Us from Disease?

When children are born they acquire immunity from their mother, but it begins to diminish after the 1st month of life and is completely gone by around 1 year of age. Children then have to depend on their own immune system to fight off illnesses. Our immune system defends against foreign invaders called pathogens that can cause diseases.

Examples of pathogens are bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When we come into contact with a foreign invader, antibodies are formed to protect us the next time we are exposed to the invader.

Vaccines work in much the same way. Vaccines are derived from either a weakened form of a pathogen or portion of the pathogen which has been genetically altered. When a vaccine is administered an immune response similar to that produced by a natural infection results. This response helps to protect vaccinated individuals from contracting many infectious diseases.



                                                          5 Myths About Childhood Vaccines 

Myth 1: The MMR vaccine causes autism. FALSE, Numerous studies have repeatedly failed to find any evidence that vaccines cause autism. This is myth stems from the 1998 article by a physician who falsified the study and has since had his licensed taken away.
Myth 2: The mercury in vaccines is dangerous. FALSE Mercury in the form of thimerosal was removed  from vaccines in 2001. Studies have also failed to find evidence of any association with autism and thimerosal. 
Myth 3: Too many vaccines, too soon. FALSE, Evidence has proven that the CDC recommended schedule is safe and the most effective. Today's vaccines are purer with less number of antigens than in the past. One case of measles exposes the body to MORE antigens than the vaccine. 
Myth 4: Childhood vaccines are not 100% effective, so why bother? FALSE  If a child does get sick after vaccination, the illness with be less intense or severe. Vaccines are important not only to protect your child, but to protect the community and those who can not be vaccinated. 
Myth 5: Vaccine-preventable illnesses aren't serious. FALSEVaccines have eliminated or limited certain diseases, such as polio and measles. Polio has caused paralysis in the thousands in the 1940's and 1950's. Haemophilus influenzas has caused throat swelling and meningitis. Chicken Pox caused hospitalization of over 10,000 people a year. 

                               Who Should Be Immunized?

Some parents might think their children do not need to be immunized because the pathogens of the past do not exist today. However, disease preventable pathogens still do exist and those not immunized are at great risk of becoming ill if exposed. Fortunately, these diseases are not often seen because of effective vaccination programs.

In addition, adults need to be immunized as well. Every year adults become ill, are disabled, and die from vaccine preventable diseases that could have been prevented by vaccination. Immunizing not only protects individuals but helps to protect the community.

                                  
                                           Qualified Individuals
 The Greendale Health Department is no longer able to vaccinate persons who have insurance that covers the cost of vaccines. The Greendale Health Department will continue to provide vaccinations for children meeting these requirements: 

  • Those without health insurance
  • Those on BadgerCare or other state health insurance
  • Those who have health insurance that does not cover the cost of vaccines.
  • Native American or Alaskan Native

Per state policy and procedure, there are some vaccinations available to adults who meet specific eligibility criteria; please call for additional information, 414-423-2110.