The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center provides childhood and adult immunizations through a variety of opportunities and funding sources.
Vaccines for Children (VFC)
An entitlement program for children at birth through 18 years of age that covers those who are:
- Medicaid Eligible: for purposes of the VFC program, "eligible" and "enrolled" are equivalent and refer to children who have health insurance covered by a state Medicaid program.
- Uninsured: a child who has no health insurance coverage.
- Underinsured: a child who has private health insurance but the coverage does not include vaccines; a child whose insurance covers only select vaccines (VFC applies to non-covered vaccines only); or a child whose insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount (when that amount is reached, they are considered underinsured).
- American Indian or Alaska Native: as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
Children & 317 Vaccines Policy
Since October 1, 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) implemented changes to the vaccine Section 317 policy, which states that 317 vaccines may not be used for routine vaccination of any fully insured individual. Fully insured children are to be vaccinated through their insurance coverage. The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center has been proactive in assuring that childhood immunizations continue to be available and is currently working with a company to allow the billing of private health insurances.
Children Vaccine Exemptions
Immunizations are the best protection against serious diseases. Vaccines are safe and effective and were developed to protect individuals from dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. If you are considering either of the two exemptions described below, please consider the following:
- Choosing not to immunize a child greatly increases the risk of getting serious diseases like pertussis, measles, mumps and chickenpox that can cause severe complications such as heart failure; difficulty breathing and swallowing; brain damage; and deafness.
- Children who are not immunized can transmit vaccine-preventable diseases throughout the community to babies who are too young to be fully immunized or to others who cannot be immunized for medical reasons. Exposure to any vaccine-preventable disease could be fatal.
- To protect inadequately vaccinated individuals and the entire community, unimmunized children could be excluded from child care during disease outbreaks. Exclusion from care can cause a hardship for the child and parent, however no exceptions are made, regardless of the circumstances.
- It is unlawful for any child to attend child care unless the child has been immunized or unless the parent or guardian has signed and filed a Parent/Guardian or Religious Immunization Exemption.
Parent/Guardian Exemption
An exemption can be filed for selected vaccines or for all vaccines. Parents and guardians should indicate which required vaccines are being exempted from on the Parent/Guardian Immunization Exemption form. The exemption must be completed and filed with the child care center administrator annually.
Claiming this exemption represents a parent or guardian’s objection to immunizing against vaccine preventable diseases. Actively choosing not to immunize a child by claiming an exemption is a parent’s right; however, it carries significant responsibility. Immunizations may save your child's life and has an impact on the safety of others.
| Parent/Guardian Exemption Form |
Religious Exemption
A religious exemption can be filed for selected required vaccines or for all required vaccines. Parents and guardians should indicate which required vaccines are being exempted from on the Religious Immunization Exemption form. The exemption must be completed, signed by the parent or guardian and placed on file with the school immunization health record.
Claiming this exemption represents a parent or guardian’s belief that the family’s religious preference does not support immunizing against vaccine preventable diseases. Actively choosing not to immunize a child by claiming a religious exemption is a parent’s right; however, it carries significant responsibility. Immunizations may save your child's life and has an impact on the safety of others.
| Religious Exemption Form |
Vaccines for Adults
Adult immunizations are offered and fully covered by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. Immunizations required for foreign travel may require a doctor's order. Visit CDC's Traveler's Health to learn more.
How do I get my vaccination?
Please call (573) 335-7846 ext. 113 to schedule the best time to receive immunizations. For vaccination clinic events, please check our calendar.
What do I bring to my vaccination appointment?
If you have any questions prior to your appointment, you may call (573) 335-7846 ext. 113. Please come to your appointment prepared with:
- Medicaid or Medicare card
- Private Insurance card
- Record of any previous immunizations
- Parental or legal guardian consent (required for ages <18 years)
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