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Vaccines play an important role in keeping us healthy. They protect us from serious and sometimes deadly diseases — like haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and measles. It’s normal to have questions about vaccines. Vaccines.gov works with scientists and doctors to answer your questions and provide the information you need to get vaccinated such as:
Once you have the information you need, make sure that you and your family are up-to-date on your vaccinations — they’re your best shot against serious, preventable illness. Find more answers to common questions about vaccines.
As you learn about vaccines and how they protect you, it may be helpful to understand the difference between vaccines, vaccinations, and immunizations.
Vaccine: A vaccine is made from very small amounts of weak or dead germs that can cause diseases — for example, viruses, bacteria, or toxins. It prepares your body to fight the disease faster and more effectively so you won’t get sick.
Example: Children younger than age 13 need 2 doses of the chickenpox vaccine.
Vaccination: Vaccination is the act of getting a vaccine, usually as a shot.
Example: Schedule your tetanus vaccination today.
Immunization: Immunization is the process of becoming immune to (protected against) a disease.
Example: Because of continued and widespread immunization in the United States, it’s rare for Americans to get polio.
This information is credit to Vaccines.gov
Other Vaccine Resources:
Vaccines from birth to 18 years of age
CDC Press Releases & Media Advisories
Immunization Action Coalition Vaccine Information
We offer the following vaccines at our Walk-In Clinic:
Hepatitis B (3 dose series and pediatric dose)
Influenza & Influenza High Dose for 65 and older
Shingrix*
You should also know: Children under 7 should schedule an immunization appointment with our Maternal & Child Health Nurse, also some adult and child immunizations are free through VFC and 317 programs.
*The Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) is administered at the health department for a small injection fee, this vaccine will need to be purchased through a local pharmacy. Contact your Doctor and get a script for the vaccine, then take the script to your pharmacy to have it filled and bring the vaccine DIRECTLY to our office. 
IMPORTANT: When you get the vaccine it is necessary to keep it at a certain temperature. The vaccine can be unusable if not kept within this temperature. Your pharmacist should equip you with the information or necessary goods to ensure it is transported properly. Contact your pharmacy or our office if you have further questions about this. 573-324-2111
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There are two ways our agency can provide immunizations to the community:
Walk-In Clinic: These services are available to those who are interested in receiving vaccinations (and much more) with no appointment necessary! Our walk-in clinic hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:00am – 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Find out more about our Walk-In clinic services.
Immunization Clinics: We come to you! Our nurses venture out into the community for specific vaccines to be given to large groups at once. From required school vaccines to the flu shots; we host our own clinics and we also offer these immunization opportunities by request. Below are some examples of clinics we offer to the community.
Community Immunization Clinics:
Dates, times and locations of our clinics are published in local newspapers, on our Facebook page, as well as here on our website.
You should also know: Children under 7 should schedule an immunization appointment with our Maternal & Child Health Nurse, also some adult and child immunizations are free through VFC and 317 programs.
- Flu Shot Clinics are held at various locations in the community during flu season which typically runs from October through March.
- School Shot Clinics are typically scheduled in May and August of each year at various locations that make it easy for parents to get the required vaccinations for their children.
- Drive Thru Flu Clinics are offered at least once a year in late September and/or October. Generally these clinics are provided in Bowling Green & Louisiana that give the public the opportunity to drive up, toss out their arm along with insurance information and get their flu shot without ever having to get out of their vehicle. The community has shown great appreciation for this service, and we are glad to have been offering this clinic to them.
- Employer Clinics are offered if you are an employer and want to offer the ease of getting vaccinations to your employees; we are available to help. If you are an employer and would like to offer a vaccination clinic to your employees, please contact our office to schedule a clinic.
Our agency inputs all administered vaccines into ShowMeVax. ShowMeVax is Missouri’s immunization information system, a centralized resource for tracking an individual’s immunization history and status. We can print these for Missouri residents at no cost during our Walk-In Clinic Hours (M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Most physician offices input your immunizations into this system as well, but you should call to confirm when using this immunization history report as a factor in figuring out what vaccines you may need.
How much do immunizations cost?
Our agency charges for vaccines per their individual market value at that time. We do our best to keep the prices up to date for you here online under our Walk-In Clinic tab, but please call our office ahead of time to ensure the pricing has not changed.
How are vaccines paid for?
Typically vaccines are covered by private insurance, medicare and medicaid. They can also be paid out of pocket.
Can’t afford a required or necessary vaccine?
Prices vary per vaccine and some may be available at no charge. Our mission as your local health department is to not turn anyone away who is unable to afford these services. Our fundraiser funds and tax dollars go towards our “Public Health Initiatives”; Our effort to a healthy community through free education and health services. Throughout the year our agency hosts events and fundraisers that help us cover the costs of these, and many other free and discounted services within our agency. Additionally, infants and children may be able to receive their immunizations at no charge via the Vaccines for Children program for those who are eligible.
What are the required immunizations for Missouri students?
Follow this link to the Required Immunizations for students per Missouri Regulations.
How do I know if my child is up to date on their vaccines?
Typically all parents/guardians are encouraged to keep a shot record, but if this is not available, your records can be obtained from your child’s pediatrician/family doctor, or through Missouri’s immunization registry; ShowMeVax.
ShowMeVax registry offers health care professionals, schools and child care organizations a one-stop shop for tracking an individual’s immunization history and status and allows providers to monitor vaccine inventory. Unfortunately, it is not a state requirement for all offices to report to this registry; which can make things difficult when trying to retrieve this information. Our agency reports to ShowMeVax as a requirement of our Vaccines for Children program.
If your healthcare provider does not report to ShowMeVax and you would like for it to be entered, we are more than happy to do so for you. All you need is a copy of the shot record and bring it to our office. *Appointments may be required, please call ahead.
