Program Philosophy

The Tuscola County Health Department's philosophy is consistent with that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP).  The immunization program provides a preventative health which positively impacts on the health and well-being of persons of all ages, especially children.  Effective immunization programs are essential health care delivery interventions that correlate with decreased disease morbidity and mortality.

Program Objectives 

1. To enable residents to receive education in reference to vaccine preventable diseases and the means to prevent them.
2. To educate about the normal side effects predicted with immunizations.
3. To provide high quality and individualized care consistent with the immunization needs of each person participating in the program.
4. To educate the general public toward an understanding of vaccine preventable diseases and immunizations against said diseases, thus leading to the reduction and eventual eradication of such diseases.
5. In order to achieve these objectives, the Tuscola County Health Department adheres to the standards of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Why Children Need Shots

DTaP/DT/Td/Tdap prevents three diseases:  Diphtheria which can cause fever, chills and a blocked windpipe;  Tetanus, known as Lock-jaw causes breathing problems, extreme pain and often leads to death;  Pertussis, known as Whooping Cough causes severe coughing and pneumonia.

HepB prevents Hepatitis B infection which can cause inflammation of the liver.  Hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Hib prevents Haemophilus Influenzae B disease which can cause meningitis, pneumonia and other serious infections.

MMR prevents three diseases:  Measles, which can cause pneumonia, deafness, and brain damage;  Mumps which can cause deafness and inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord;  and Rubella which can cause birth defects in unborn children.

IPV prevents Polio which can cause fever, muscle pain, crippling and death.

VZV protects against Varicella Zoster Virus, or chicken pox, which can cause fever, skin lesions and other serious complications.

PCV protects against seven types of Pneumococcal disease in young children that can cause sickness and death. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis.

Rotavirus vaccine protects infants from the rotavirus that causes high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.  The vomiting caused by rotavirus can be frequent, persistent, and severe.

Gardasil (HPV) vaccine protects females between the ages of 11 - 26 years old from the human Papillomavirus that causes 70% of cervical cancers and about 90% of anal and genital warts.

Menactra (Meningitis) vaccine protects adolescents ages 11 through college age from meningitis.  Meningitis infects the bloodstream, lining of the brain and spinal cord (causing meningitis).

Vaccine Information Statements

Click on the link for Vaccine Information Statements available, directly from the MDCH website.

Immunizations Are Not Just For Kids

Many ADULTS think that "shots" or immunizations are just for kids, but disease has no age limits.  Adults need protection too.  There are ten diseases against which all or many adults need to receive immunizations:

• Influenza
• Pneumococcal Disease
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus
• Diptheria
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• Tdap
• HPV

If in doubt about your vaccine needs, see your doctor or visit the health department.

Immunization Requirements

• Immunization Schedule
• Immunization Schedule for Children Who Start Late or are More than One Month Behind

• Customize an Immunization Chart for Your Child

Eligibility for Services

All Tuscola County residents are served by this program.

Vaccine for Children (VFC) and Michigan Vaccine for Children (MI-VFC) eligibility criteria includes children who are enrolled in Medicaid, have no health insurance, are American Indian or Alaskan Native, or have insurance with no immunization coverage when the child presents for vaccinations.  Children who qualify for VFC and MI-VFC will receive free vaccinations and may be required to pay a $12.00 administration fee for each vaccination.  This administration fee may be placed on a sliding scale on 150% federal poverty guidelines.  Parents of children who do not quality for VFC and MI-VFC will be required to pay vaccine and administration fees if their insurance does not cover it.

Adults needing immunizations should call our office to determine the vaccine costs, administration charge s and insurance coverage information.

Using the first column, find the row with the number of people in your family, follow the row until you find the range your yearly income falls into.  At the top of that column is the percentage of the charge that you will be responsible for.  For example, a family of 4, with a yearly income of $20,000 would be responsible for paying 60% of the charge, which is shown in the "Administration Fee" column in the table above.

This model fee scale is effective March 6, 2009.  for family units with more than 8 members, add $5,600 for each additional family member.

Hours of Service

Immunization clinics are held Tuesday and Thursday, on the following schedule:

Contact Phone

Immunization Clinic - (989) 673-8114, Ext. 110 or 102

Immunization Coalition

The Immunization Coalition consists of members who are broadly representative of the community.  Members include area  professionals, Head Start, preschool programs, physicians, and other interested individuals.  

The goals of the Immunization Coalition include:

• Protect our children from vaccine-preventable childhood diseases

• Every child to grow and develop into a strong, healthy individual

• Increase awareness of required immunizations

• Increase vaccination levels for our county

If you are interested in serving on this committee, please call (989) 673-8114, Ext. 102, or email us at: sysop@tchd.us

Links to Sites of Interest:

• National Immunization Program - CDC
• Michigan Department of Community Health
• Bridges4Kids

Page Last Updated:  10/26/2009

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