Immunizations
Clinics
The Department of Public Health and Wellness offers routine vaccines to individuals aged 2-months or older, including adults. We provide vaccines to people without insurance or a medical home, as well as for children whose insurance or doctor do not cover vaccines. We also accept most insurance plans. There is a $10 administration fee for each vaccine, but no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay.
Appointments Required
Vaccines are given by appointment at our Newburg and Dixie clinics If you have questions or need assistance, call 502-574-5380. Language assistance is available.
Newburg Clinic
4810 Exeter Ave.
Louisville, KY 40218
Mondays and Tuesdays, by appointment
Dixie Clinic, 2nd floor
7219 Dixie Highway
Louisville, KY 40258
Wednesdays and Thursdays, by appointment
Learn the best bus route to our clinics.
- Who is eligible?
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VFC: Children (18 years of age and younger):
- Who do not have health insurance
- Are on a Kentucky Medicaid Program
- Who have health insurance that does not cover vaccines
- Who are American Indian or Alaskan Native
317: Adults (19 and older)
- Who do not have health insurance, or their insurance does not cover certain vaccines
There is a $10 administration fee for each shot, but no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay.
- Vaccines available
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- COVID-19 & booster
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella)
- DTaP/Tdap (Diptheria, tetanus, pertusis)
- HPV9 (Human papillomavirus)
- Pneumococcal
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis A
- Meningitis ACWY
- Polio
- Influenza
- Hepatitis B
- Meningitis B
- Rotavirus
- Td (Tetanus, diptheria)
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- CDC Recommended Vaccine Schedule
- Vaccines Required for Kentucky Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- Does LMPHW offer vaccinations?
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Yes, Louisville Metro Dept. of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) offers vaccinations for children and adults through our two immunization clinics, one at 4810 Exeter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40258 and one at 7219 Dixie Highway (2nd Floor), Louisville, KY 40218.
- How do I get an appointment for vaccinations?
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You can schedule an appointment by calling 502-574-5380. You will be asked to provide information about yourself to determine which vaccine supply will be utilized for your appointment.
- Does LMPHW accept insurance for vaccinations?
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Yes, most major insurances are accepted at LMPHW for vaccinations. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, you may inquire with our staff when calling to make your appointment or your provider beforehand.
- What is the cost for vaccines if I do not have insurance?
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LMPHW offers vaccines for those who are uninsured or underinsured through the Vaccines for Children and Adult 317 vaccine programs. You will be asked about your income to ensure qualification for these programs, and an administration fee of $10 per vaccine will be assessed, however, NO ONE will be turned away for an inability to pay this fee.
Vaccine safety
- Are vaccines safe?
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Yes. Vaccines are required to go through a rigorous testing process prior to being approved for use in humans. Each year in the United States, millions of children are safely vaccinated. Standards for clinical trials, storage and handling and outcome monitoring have ensured that the United States retains vaccines at the high level of safety possible.
- What are the benefits of vaccination?
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The benefits of vaccine far outweigh any risk associated with vaccines. Vaccines can prevent infectious diseases that can result in serious disability or death, including measles and polio. In some instances, vaccines like the flu vaccine may not always prevent the disease entirely but may reduce the severity and longevity of symptoms. Additionally, when a large enough portion of a given population is vaccinated, a form of group immunity called “herd immunity” can develop to protect individuals who are unable to be vaccinated.
- What are the risks associated with receiving vaccinations?
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The most common risks associated with vaccination are minor side effects, including redness and swelling at the injection site, fussiness, and low-grade fever, which can be signs of the body’s immune response to the vaccine and exactly the desired outcome. These side effects typically resolve within 1-2 days. Although rare, there is a risk of allergic reaction for some patients. Those individuals with a history of reaction to a vaccine in the past or those with chronic illnesses that reduce the functioning of the immune system should discuss vaccination with their provider.
- Do vaccines cause autism?
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No. Scientific research has shown multiple times that there is no evidence of a link between vaccination and autism. Read about this parent's experience.
Vaccine Schedules
- Why do children begin getting vaccines so early in life?
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Vaccines are started in infancy due to the risk of serious, even life-threatening illnesses that can result from vaccine-preventable diseases. Children begin receiving vaccines early in life to provide them with immunity prior to any exposure to these diseases.
- Should I vaccinate my children on a delayed or non-standard schedule?
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There has been no scientific evidence to support the benefit of delaying vaccination. By doing so, the risk of acquiring a serious illness could be increased. Young children have the highest risk of experiencing a serious case of disease and some diseases such as Hib and pneumococcus occur most frequently in the first 2 years of life. Vaccines do not overload the immune system, and they encourage the immune system to create antibodies needed to prevent disease.
While a delayed or non-standard schedule is not recommended, we will work with your family and address your concerns.
- Why do some vaccines require multiple doses?
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Depending on the vaccine in question, some may require more than one dose to help build up high enough immunity to prevent disease or to boost immunity that may decrease over time. Some vaccines may be created to protect against germs that change over time, such as the flu vaccine, which is updated each year. Every dose of vaccine recommended in the schedule is important to strengthening your immune system.
- My child is behind on vaccination. Will they be able to catch-up?
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Yes. The CDC and ACIP work together to create vaccine schedules for children and adults, as well as “Catch Up” schedules for individuals who are beginning vaccination outside of the typical age parameters. These schedules provide excellent guidance and are a cornerstone to practice at LMPHW.
- Why does my adolescent need vaccines if they were vaccinated in childhood?
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Some of the vaccinations that are received in adolescence are booster doses to enhance immunity already developed earlier in life. Others provide immunity to diseases that an individual in the adolescent/adult age range is more likely to encounter. Receiving these vaccines on the recommended schedule will help to ensure continued immunity.
- Do adults need to receive immunizations?
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Yes, there are recommended vaccinations for adults. Some are annual recommendations such as the flu shot, while others are specifically given in the adult population based on their risk for certain diseases. Keeping up with vaccinations in adulthood not only protects the individual, but also reduces the risk that they will expose any young children they encounter to serious diseases.
Additional information
- Resources
