Immunity in AR Community

A vaccine is a small shot that feels like a poke or pinch. Other forms of vaccines include: oral or nasal. It protects the body from harmful viruses or bacteria.

Vaccines introduce a small or weakened version of viruses or bacteria. This allows the immune system to fight against them. Over time, some vaccine’s protection can decrease. Booster shots help build up that protection. They remind and train the body to use its natural defenses.

1. A vaccine introduces a week part of a germ into the body. This is known as an “antigen”.
2. Once it is inside the body, the immune system is alerted. Then, the body trains itself to remember and fight the germ.
3. The body is ready when it is exposed to a real virus or bacteria in the future. It will protect the body’s health.

The signs that a vaccine is working: tiredness, achiness, and fever. These are signs that your immune system is making memories.

When people are immune to a disease, it cannot be spread. Population immunity protects entire communities and is especially needed to protect those unable to get the vaccination themselves, like young children and people with medical conditions.

Vaccines can have side effects, but most people experience only mild side effects - if any- after vaccination. The most common side effects are fever, tiredness, body aches, or redness, swelling, and tenderness where the shot was given. Mild reactions usually go away on their own within a few days.

Vaccine safety is a high priority. CDC and other experts carefully review safety data before recommending any vaccine, then continually monitor vaccine safety after approval.

Vaccines aren’t just for kids! As adults, we may need vaccines to stay protected against certain diseases, especially as our immunity can fade over time. Some vaccines are also needed because of age, job, travel, or health conditions.

No, vaccines cannot cause the disease they are meant to prevent. Some vaccines use dead or weakened germs so they cannot make you sick. Instead, they help your immune system prepare to fight the real disease if you’re exposed.

Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider, they can offer you science-based information including vaccine recommendations.

You can get vaccines at your doctor’s office, local pharmacy, or health clinic. Some employers and community health events also offer vaccines.  Vaccines.gov helps you find pharmacies and their contact information. Since each location handles appointments differently and vaccine availability can vary, you’ll need to contact the pharmacy directly to schedule your appointment and confirm they have the vaccine in stock.

Private Insurance

All Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans must cover certain vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance when provided by an in-network provider. This is true even for patients who have not met a yearly deductible. Doses, recommended ages, and recommended populations for vaccinations vary.

Medicare

Medicare Part B plan will pay for the following: COVID-19 vaccines, Hepatitis B vaccines for people at increased risk of hepatitis, influenza (flu) vaccines; pneumococcal vaccines, and vaccines directly related to the treatment of an injury or direct exposure to a disease or condition, such as rabies and tetanus.

Medicaid

Beginning October 1, 2023, most adults with coverage from Medicaid and CHIP will be guaranteed coverage of all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice at no cost to them.

Military

If you serve in the military or are a military dependent, you are eligible for TRICARE. Under TRICARE, vaccines are covered according to the CDC recommended schedule.

Reach out to the pharmacy to confirm they take your insurance. You can also contact your insurance plan, or Medicare or Medicaid, to confirm vaccine coverage. Most vaccinations are covered by health insurance.

The US is changing its flu vaccines for the 2024-2025 season. Instead of using four-component vaccines (which protect against four different flu viruses), the new vaccines will have three components. This change is happening because one of the flu viruses, called B/Yamagata, hasn’t been seen since 2020. So, it’s no longer needed in the vaccine. The new three-component (trivalent) vaccines will still protect against the most common flu viruses: two types of influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2) and one type of influenza B.