Reactions to the shots may occur, but they are rarely serious. The site may be tender to touch for a few days. Remember that the risk in not immunizing your child is far greater than the risk of a serious reaction.

YES! If your child gets the right shots at the right times, you can greatly reduce the chances of getting these diseases.

Your child needs shots for protection against very bad diseases that can cause rashes, fevers, coughing, choking, brain damage, heart problems, crippling, deafness, blindness, and even death. Most parents of young children today have never seen a case of measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, or tetanus. If we don’t see these diseases, it can be hard to understand why it is important to protect against them. Vaccines are still given for three reasons:

• To prevent common infections
  Some diseases are so common in this country that a choice not to vaccinate is a choice to get the disease. For example, choosing not to get the chickenpox vaccine is a choice to risk serious and occasionally fatal infection from chickenpox.
• To prevent infections that could easily reemerge
  Some diseases in this country continue to occur at very low levels (for example, measles, mumps, rubella, and Hib). If immunization rates in our schools or communities are low, outbreaks of these diseases are likely to occur.
• To prevent infections that are more common in other parts of the world
  Although some diseases have been completely eliminated (polio) or virtually eliminated (diphtheria) from this country, they still occur in other parts of the world. Children are commonly paralyzed by polio in India or killed by diphtheria in Russia. Because there is a high rate of international travel into and out of the United States, outbreaks of these diseases are only a plane ride away.

Immunizations are provided at all three of the Tillamook County Health Centers, and at various outreach clinics in the county. Check out our Immunizations page for more information.

Children need to get immunized when they are babies. Many parents think that children don’t need shots until they are ready to enter school. That’s not true! Children need most of their shots during their first two years, starting at birth or when they’re two months old. Children who are behind on their shots need to get immunized to “catch up” and be protected.

Even if you don’t have the money to pay for them, your public health clinic offers shots at a very low cost. At the Tillamook County Community Health Centers, no one is denied service based on the inability to pay.

Be sure to check out the latest immunization schedules here: Immunization Schedules (CDC)

As of the 2008-2009 school year, the state of Oregon is requiring additional shots for school attendance. All Oregon 7th graders need these additional shots:

• Tdap

Children in childcare and those entering kindergarten will need these additional shots:

• Hepatitis A series (2)

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, Polio, Chickenpox

More information about these diseases can be found on our Immunizations page.

Contact any one of our health centers with any immunization questions you have.

View our Contact Information

Check out our Flu Clinics page for the most recent schedule and the flu vaccine finder.

More information about pregnancy tests and contraceptives can be found on our Family Planning page.

More information about pregnancy tests and contraceptives can be found on our Family Planning page.

Find out on our WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program) page.

Visit our Maternity Case Management page for more information.

Visit our HIV/Ryan White page for more information.

Visit our Food Handlers Card page for more information.

Visit our Food Handlers Card page for more information.

View the current Environmental Health Fees document.

View our Temporary Food Booths page for more information.

View our Temporary Food Booths page for more information.

View our Vital Statistic page for more information.

View our Vital Statistic page for more information.

View our Contact Us page for more information.