Immunizations

A vaccine triggers the body’s immune system against a specific disease.  It is usually administrated though a needle but can be a pill or nasal spray.

Immunity is developed through antibodies. Antibodies are produced by your body to fight a toxin or disease. Antibodies are specific to only 1 disease.

In some cases, you may have been immunized but still get sick. This is usually referred to as “breakthrough” cases. Breakthrough cases are more common with short acting immunity.

The body develops immunity when its immune system recognizes and remembers specific foreign pathogens or antigens through exposure, either from a natural infection or from a vaccine, which triggers the production of protective antibodies and specialized T-cells to fight off future encounters with the same threat. This adaptive immunity provides long-lasting protection against specific diseases by creating immunological memory.

Active immunity: exposure to the disease that results in the body producing antibodies. This could be “natural” exposure, meaning you actually got sick with the disease.

“Vaccine-induced” exposure means you get a dead or weak form of the disease through immunization. With active immunity, your body produces the antibodies.

Active immunity lasts a long time. In some cases, active immunity can last a lifetime. Sometimes multiple vaccines are needed to build up immunity. It may take multiple weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

Passive immunity: when the antibodies are used in a vaccine instead of the actual disease. For example, a newborn baby gets passive immunity for some diseases through the mother’s placenta. Passive immunity is short lasting and begins immediately.

Some vaccines are recommended for pregnant women, even if she has already been vaccinated, in order to provide more antibodies to the baby.

Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are right for you. Diseases that can be prevented by a vaccine include:

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A 
• Hepatitis B
• Hib
• HPV
• Flu (Influenza)
• Measles
• Meningitis
• Mumps 
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Pneumococcal Disease
• Polio
• Rotavirus
• RSV
• Rubella
• Shingles
• Tetanus

The MMR immunization series protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. The DTaP/Tdap immunization series protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

Asotin County Health District does not provide immunizations. ​Please contact your primary care provider to discuss which immunizations are right for you. TriState Family Practice, Walgreens, Albertsons, Costco, CHAS, Walmart, and other pharmacies may be able to provide the immunizations for you. Call the pharmacy or clinic to confirm availability.

Many insurance plans cover preventive immunizations, but always check with your insurance provider to learn more about the cost of your vaccines.

Children 18 years old and younger may qualify for free immunizations through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program. TriState Family Practice will administer qualifying vaccinations. Please call ahead to make an appointment. You do not need to be a patient at TriState to make an appointment for immunizations.