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Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department provides vaccines

Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of articles written by the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.

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PARKERSBURG — Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department clinical program provides a variety of vaccines to all age groups – from infants to senior citizens. Vaccines are proven to prevent disease and protect the public from illnesses that can be life-threatening. Routine vaccines start as an infant.

Routine vaccines are recommended for everyone in the United States. Most people think of vaccines as childhood vaccines that you get before starting school, but many vaccines are routinely recommended for adults. Some are recommended every year such as a flu vaccine or a tetanus booster every 10 years.

In West Virginia, students entering kindergarten through sixth grade must show proof of immunizations against Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and Hepatitis A and B. It is important to note that most of the vaccines require more than one dose.

West Virginia students entering seventh grade require additional vaccines. Seventh grade students must have proof of a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis) booster and the first dose of MCV4 (meningococcal/meningitis) vaccine. Students entering their senior year must have the second dose of MCV4 if the first dose was given before their 16th birthday. It is also recommended that students turning 16 should also receive meningitis B vaccine to protect against the type of meningitis not covered by the MCV4.

All men and women ages 11 to 26 are also encouraged to get the HPV vaccine. HPV vaccine is important because it protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

The clinical staff at MOVHD also provides many adult vaccines. As mentioned above it is recommended that a tetanus booster be given every 10 years. Pregnant women, their partner and others that will be around an infant should consider getting a Tdap booster which includes protection against pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis infection in a young infant may be LIFE THREATENING, while the disease in adults may just be a “chronic troubling cough”.

Other vaccines adults should consider are Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B vaccines. The shingles vaccine and pneumonia vaccine are encouraged for senior citizens. Currently it is recommended that adults 50 years and older get the new Shingrix Vaccine to prevent Shingles, even if the previous Shingles Vaccine (Zostavax) has been received.

Those that travel can also get Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recommended and required vaccines if travelling out of the country. These vaccines protect travelers from illnesses present in other parts of the world and prevent infectious diseases from crossing borders.

In addition to Hepatitis A and B and Tdap vaccines which are recommended for most adults, MOVHD can also provide international travel vaccines for yellow fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria and Meningitis. Typhoid tablets are also available. Currently there is a shortage of yellow fever vaccine. MOVHD also recommends that everyone from 6 months and older get the seasonal flu vaccine. Flu vaccine is usually available late September until March.

For more information on vaccines, please contact the clinical department of Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department at 304-485-7374.

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