Disease Prevention Programs
Immunization
Many communicable diseases among children are preventable. However, fewer than half the children in Texas receive the immunizations they need by age two. If not protected against these illnesses, children can develop life threatening medical conditions including brain damage, deafness, pneumonia, and seizures. Some diseases, like Rubella, can be spread to pregnant women and cause miscarriage or birth defects.
Adult Vaccinations
Each of the adult vaccines to be made available through Big Shots clinics is listed below. There is a $10 fee for each visit. Clients are not refused service due to an inability to pay. Vaccines are available to all uninsured and underinsured adults:
- Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
- Measles, Mumps, And Rubella (MMR)
- Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4)
- Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine
- Tdap Vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus, accellular pertussis), and Td (tetanus, diphtheria)
- Varicella Vaccine
- Zoster Vaccine
Childhood Vaccination Schedules
The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend the following immunization schedule:
- At Birth: Hepatitis B
- 2 Months: Hepatitis B, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, accellular pertussis), Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), Polio, Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV7), Rotavirus
- 4 Months: DTaP, Hib, polio, PCV7, Rotavirus
- 6 Months: Hepatitis B, DTaP, Hib, PCV7, Rotavirus
- 12-15 Months: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Varicella (chickenpox), DTaP, Hib, polio, PCV7
- 1-2 Years: Hepatitis A
- 4-6 Years: DTaP, polio, MMR, Varicella
- 11-12 Years: Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV4), Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- Every 10 years: Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap
Information about vaccine requirements for school entry in the State of Texas, can be found on the Texas Department of State Health Services. If you would like to view or print a summary of these requirements:
