Vaccine FAQ

What are vaccines and why are they important?

Vaccination is a safe way to protect yourself from illnesses. Vaccines work by making your immune system stronger. Vaccines are also called “immunizations,” or sometimes just called “shots.”

Vaccines have made many illnesses rare, including some illnesses that used to kill babies, children, and adults. It’s much safer to prevent an illness with vaccines than it is to treat it after someone gets sick.

You can read more about vaccines here.

 
 

  • Vaccines made these illnesses rare. People all over the world—including here in the United States—still get very sick or even die from illnesses that vaccines can help prevent. Measles is a good example. Although measles was declared eliminated from the US in the year 2000, US measles outbreaks have increased in recent years. The increase in measles outbreaks is because too many people are not getting the measles vaccine.  

  • Before vaccines are approved for public use, they have to go through a strict series of tests to ensure they are safe. This CDC website describes the tests vaccines need to pass before being approved. Most vaccines do have minor side effects, like soreness where you got the shot or a slight fever. Side effects like this do not last long and are much, much milder than getting sick with the disease. Serious reactions are very rare. The CDC keeps track of serious reactions and will pull vaccines off the market if they find anything new and concerning. If you are worried about a specific vaccine, you can find details for each one on this page of the CDC website. If you have more questions, you can schedule an appointment at your regular clinic, or call us at 541-506-2600 and arrange a time to talk to our nurse practitioner.

  • It varies based on your child’s age. The vaccines required in Oregon are: 

    • Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis; usually given together in a “DTaP” or “Tdap” vaccine

    • Polio

    • Varicella, also known as Chickenpox

    • Measles, Mumps, and Rubella; usually given together in an “MMR” vaccine 

    • Hepatitis B 

    • Hepatitis A 

    • Haemophilus Influenzae Type B, usually shortened to “Hib”

    All states use the CDC’s guidance to write their vaccine rules. If you vaccinate your child using the advice on the CDC website, your child should be able to attend school in any state of the US. If your child got any vaccines outside of Oregon, you can show a record of those vaccines as proof your child is vaccinated and ready for school.  

  • When you get a vaccine in Oregon, the clinic will add it to a website called “ALERT.” Many states track vaccines with something like ALERT. Your normal clinic can look up your vaccines in ALERT and print a copy for you. We can also print your vaccine record for you. Go to this webpage to learn more about getting a copy of your Oregon vaccine record. If you have a vaccine card listing vaccines you got outside of Oregon, or vaccines you got many years ago, you should keep that card. 

  • If your child misses some vaccinations, they can continue the shots from where they left off. They do not need to start all their vaccines over again.

    If you or your child have never gotten any vaccines, you can get them now. It’s never too late to start! 

  • Yes. Someone with a minor illness, or who is on antibiotics, can still get vaccines. It is safe to get a vaccine even if you are sick. If you are sick, you should stay home so you don’t get anyone else sick, but it is still safe to get a vaccine. There is more about this at Immunize.org. 

  • For a medical exemption, you will need to give the school a letter signed by you or your child’s healthcare provider. The directions for that are here. For a non-medical exemption, you will need to follow the directions here.

  • We will not turn anyone away who can’t pay. For anyone with insurance, we will bill your insurance. For uninsured children, there are special Oregon State programs to pay for vaccines. For uninsured adults, we charge $21.96 to administer the vaccine, but we never turn you away if you can’t pay. If you have more questions about the cost of specific vaccines, you can call us at 541-506-2600.

Where can I get vaccines?

You can get vaccines at your regular clinic, most pharmacies, and from us at North Central Public Health District. Our clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 5:00. Call us at 541-506-2600 to make an appointment. We can often get you in the same day you call. For seasonal COVID and flu vaccinations, this page on our website has links to any clinic or pharmacy that offers either vaccine.