Copyright Kearny County Hospital
Copyright Kearny County Hospital
There are Many Reasons to Get Vaccinated
But you probably only need to think of one in your close circle of family and friends
Protecting the people we love has always been at the core of why we get vaccinated. Whether it’s preventing measles, smallpox and other diseases in school children or making sure we all avoid the flu, COVID-19 and pneumonia, vaccines save lives.
In Kearny County, we care about one another
Caring for you is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why Kearny County Hospital’s Family Health Center offers appointments for flu, pneumonia, and COVID vaccines at the Lakin clinic location Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm and Saturdays from 9-11am. Call 620-355-7550 to make an appointment or fill out the form below to send us any questions you may have. Please note that while our clinic does not currently offer childhood vaccines, we will help to coordinate your child’s immunizations with our local health department.
When it comes to vaccines – which vaccines to get, when and where to get them – it’s only natural to have questions and concerns. That’s why we’ve created this page as your central “hub” of trusted information about vaccines and resources to help answer your questions. If you don’t find the answers you need here, simply complete the form below to be contacted by a Family Health Center staff member to personally address your vaccine concerns, or give us a call at 620-355-7550.
No matter your unique reason for getting vaccinated, we encourage all community members to do so in an effort to live, work and play together in the healthiest way we can.
Vaccine Schedules: Getting the Right Vaccines at the Right Times
Some people get their flu shot on the same date each year. Vaccines for babies are set at key times of the baby’s development – 3 months, 6 months, etc. Back to school shots need to happen before that first bell rings. Pneumonia shots happen year round but are especially popular in the fall or winter when flu is most common. COVID-19 vaccines are critical now to stop the spread of this disease and its variants while protecting ourselves, as well as our families, friends and neighbors. Check out the timetables and FAQs below to learn more about typical schedules for common vaccines – and all other questions vaccine-related.
Stay Healthy This Season
The Family Health Center is also providing flu and pneumonia shots at the Lakin clinic during the hours listed above. Those getting their flu and/or pneumonia shot can get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, if not yet vaccinated.
What Vaccines Can Prevent
Many diseases, some highly contagious, can be prevented with a simple vaccine.
Vaccines: Birth to Age 6
Click below to see which vaccines are recommended for children ages 6 and under.
Vaccines: Age 7-18
Click below to see which vaccines are recommended for people ages 7-18.
Vaccines: Age 19 or older
Click below to see which vaccines are recommended for people age 19 or older.
You can also visit the CDC’s website for more information about vaccines.
Ready to get yourself or your loved ones vaccinated? Give us a call at 620-355-7550 to schedule your appointment at the Family Health Center’s Lakin clinic. Or, you can come see us for convenient walk-in vaccinations for flu, pneumonia and COVID-19, available Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm and Saturdays from 9-11am.
Fall Back Time is Fall Vax Time
It’s surprising how many people breathe a sigh of relief when they get that long-awaited hour back at the end of Daylight Savings Time in November. You can breathe a similar sigh of relief when you protect yourself with your annual vaccines, too. Every year, when you remember to turn the clocks back, remember to get your vaccines.
Typically, fall and winter are flu and pneumonia season, and it seems to be prime time for the spread of COVID-19 and its variants. It’s a good time to remember other adult vaccines too – particularly those that require booster shots like tetanus and diphtheria vaccines.
Whatever time of year you need a vaccine and/or booster, Kearny County Hospital’s team of experts is here to take care of you.
Healthy for the Holidays: Vaccines for Added Protection in Winter Months
As we gather with friends and family to celebrate the holiday season, we encourage you to spread cheer – not germs! Increased contact with large groups of people can heighten the spread of infectious diseases like colds, flu, pneumonia or COVID-19. And, cold weather months keep us inside more, which leads to higher spread of all things transmissible.
We know you have a lot on your plate this holiday season. That’s why we offer convenient, walk-in vaccinations Monday through Saturday at our Family Health Center. Keep your loved ones healthy this winter with vaccines from your trusted care team at Kearny County Hospital!
Thoughts on the COVID-19 Vaccines, from Physicians You Know
We know the opinions of the providers you trust can have a significant impact on your healthcare decisions. Click on the videos below to hear from two Kearny County Hospital physicians on COVID-19, its variants and the current vaccines available.
For more resources on the COVID-19 vaccine in a variety of languages from your providers at Kearny County Hospital, click below:
Click video to watch.
Click video to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get myself/my family vaccinated? Do I need an appointment?
Our Lakin clinic location is open for walk-in flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm, or by appointment only on Saturdays from 9-11am. We encourage you to call 620-355-7550 to schedule your vaccinations.
What are vaccines made of?
There is an enormous amount of science and research that goes into every vaccine. Today’s vaccines use only the ingredients they need to provide immunity (protection from the disease) and keep the vaccine safe and long-lasting.
To see the exact ingredients in each vaccine approved for use in the U.S., find out more.
What are possible side effects of vaccines?
Any vaccine can cause side effects, but in most cases side effects are rare and/or minor (for example, a sore arm or low-grade fever) and go away within a few days. Side effects are different for every vaccine, and it’s important to discuss any allergies you have with your healthcare provider before receiving a vaccine. Remember: The decision to avoid vaccination also involves risk. If you are concerned about whether or not a vaccine is safe for you personally, you can find more detailed information from the CDC here or visit with you primary care provider.
Should all children get vaccinated?
While many vaccines are safe and recommended for most children, some children should not get certain vaccines for medical reasons. Children with certain medical conditions and/or allergies might have special vaccine needs. Work with your healthcare provider to choose the best vaccination strategy for your family.
As an adult, do I still need vaccines?
Yes, some of the vaccines you’ve received in the past may require boosters to maintain the protection they provide over time. Common examples include tetanus and diphtheria, but there are others – and, depending on your age, you may benefit from new vaccines that weren’t around yet in your younger years (e.g., HPV, shingles, or chicken pox if you never had the disease). Talk to your healthcare provider about the right vaccines and boosters for you.
How do COVID-19 vaccines work?
Important points to understand about the mRNA vaccines used for protection from COVID-19:
- mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases – but they have been developed from decades of scientific study and research.
- mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies.
- The benefit of mRNA vaccines, like all vaccines, is those vaccinated gain protection without ever having to risk the serious consequences of getting sick with COVID-19.
And remember, the COVID-19 vaccine is free for everyone.
If I’ve already had COVID-19, do I really need the vaccine?
Yes, it is recommended that everyone who is eligible receives the COVID-19 vaccine – data show it is still effective at protection even for people who have already had COVID-19. Additionally, because COVID-19 is a novel (new) virus, there isn’t enough data yet to say with certainty how long natural immunity last after recovering from the disease. The vaccine is a safe, effective way to protect yourself and others.
Have a question not answered above? Reach out to our clinic staff directly using the contact form below.
Need More Information?
We are happy to provide all the information you need to feel comfortable with your decision about vaccinations. Complete the form below and we’ll contact you soon.