Sharon Health Department announces expanded availability of vaccines for Sharon adults:
While supplies last..the Sharon Health Department will now be providing to Sharon adult residents at no charge the following additional vaccines: Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/acellular Pertussis) Vaccine for adults age 19 through 64; Varicella vaccine (Chickenpox vaccine) for adults 19 years and older who have never had chickenpox and, thus, have no immunity to chickenpox....
(Please note...we no longer have any Zoster (Shingles) vaccine.)
The Health Department already provides pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine, Hepatitis A and B vaccine, Measles, Mumps, Rubella vaccine (MMR), and Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine (Td)... free of charge to Sharon residents by appointment on Tuesdays 3-5 PM and Fridays 9-10:30 AM at the Health Department office at Town Hall.
There are a number of precautions for all these vaccines. Please check the Health Department website for more information. Then please check with your physician to see if it is recommended that you receive either of these vaccines. Most notably: Persons who should not get the Varicella vaccines include: those who have a weakened immune system or are treated with drugs that affect the immune system, e.g., steroids; those undergoing cancer treatments; anyone who is pregnant; anyone with a temperature of 101.3 or higher.
Information re Tdap Vaccine: All adults should receive a Tetanus Diphtheria vaccine (Td) booster once every 10 years. In addition, adults under age 64 who have never received a dose of Tdap should substitute it for the next booster dose of Td. Adults under age 65 who expect to have close contact with an infant younger than 12 months of age (including women who may become pregnant) should get a dose of Tdap. Waiting at least 2 years since the last dose of Td is suggested, but not required. Healthcare workers under 65 who have direct patient contact in hospitals or clinics should get a dose of Tdap. New mothers who have never received Tdap should get a dose soon after delivery. (If vaccination is required during pregnancy, Td is preferred.). See the vaccine information sheet at www.immunize.org/vis.
Information re Chickenpox Vaccine: Adults who have never had a diagnosed case of chickenpox and have never received chickenpox vaccine require two doses at least 28 days apart. Check out the vaccine information sheet at www.immunize.org/vis.
The Sharon Health Department has just taken advantage of a time-limited opportunity to receive these vaccines free of charge through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) . These vaccines have been purchased by MDPH with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and will be available to public sites on a short-term basis only.
Please call the Health Department office at 781-784-1500 x206 or email to: lrosen@townofsharon.org with any questions or to schedule an appointment for a Tuesday 3-5 PM or Friday 9-10:30 AM.
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