Immunizations
Guilford County Public Health's immunization team administers immunizations to children and adults with the goal of eliminating vaccine preventable, communicable disease in our community. The team monitors the vaccine administering practices and up to date rates for all private and non-private vaccine providers in the county.
Immunizations can prevent disability and death from infectious diseases for individuals and can help control the spread of infections within communities. The Immunization Clinic provides vaccines for children, adults, refugees, immigrants (as long as a civil surgeon has referred them), and international travel.
Changes made by the NC Division of Public Health to its childhood immunization program (effective July 1, 2014) identify who will receive required childhood immunizations free of charge and who will pay a fee. State required and recommended immunizations are provided free of charge only to children who qualify for the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. VFC-eligible children are those who are: Medicaid-eligible; American Indian or Alaskan native; uninsured or underinsured. Underinsured children are those whose insurance does not cover vaccines because there is no wellness plan, a wellness plan cap has been met or only certain vaccines are covered.
Children who do not qualify for VFC, but have some other type of health insurance may or may not pay the entire vaccination fee at the time of service. It will depend on vaccine availability and type of insurance. Cost will be discussed by the nurse during your visit.
Additional vaccinations that are required or recommended for work or school or by a health care provider for any child will be available at a minimal cost.
Vaccines that may be recommended or required – for work or school or by a physician – are available.
The Division of Public Health accepts Medicaid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare insurances for childhood immunizations. Persons with these insurances will receive vaccinations at the Division of Public Health at no out of pocket cost.
The Division of Public Health will file claims for immunizations for clients who have other major insurance providers, but the client must pay the entire billed amount at the time of visit. Payment methods accepted include cash, personal checks with a North Carolina address, Visa, Mastercard, and debit cards.
Children and Adults: Greensboro and High Point: 336-641-3245 (Information in Spanish available)
Refugees and Immigrants: 336-641-3245
International Travel, Greensboro and High Point: 336-641-3245
In Greensboro, we are located at 1100 E. Wendover Ave. Please check in at the front desk.
In High Point, we are located at 501 E. Green Drive. Please check in at the front desk.
Adults should bring picture ID and previous immunization records.
For children’s immunizations please bring birth certificate, social security card, insurance card, if any, and current shot record in order to receive services.
Immunization Requirements for Colleges and Universities
Required and Recommended Immunizations for Adults
- High risk
- Health care workers
- Students
- Education and the National Immunization Program
High risk adults such as those with long-term health problems and weakened immune systems should be vaccinated against flu and pneumonia and may qualify for others on an individual basis. Health care workers who have direct patient contact should be immunized against certain diseases such as Hepatitis B, Flu and Pertussis. Adults or students going to college may require entry immunizations or shots for certain classes.
Immunization education and training is offered through the CDC or by speaking with one of our immunization nurses on staff.
Refugee clients can call 336-641-3245 to make an appointment or for additional information. Questions regarding immigration should be directed to a civil surgeon. The Division of Public Health is not approved as a civil surgeon for immigration. If you need a list of civil surgeon names, please call 336-641-4801 for assistance. More information on Refugee Health Services.
Contact Us
Email vpabon@guilfordcountync.gov with any questions about immunizations.
For seasonal flu vaccination information please contact us at either the 1100 E. Wendover Avenue location in Greensboro or the 501 E. Green Drive location in High Point, call (336) 641-3245.
Cost Schedule:
Adults and children with United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Medicaid and adults with Medicare and/or a Medicare Supplement will receive the flu vaccine at no out of pocket expense. Adults who have no insurance or some other type of health insurance will pay the entire vaccination fee at the time of the service.
For children who qualify for the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program, the vaccine will be at no cost to the parent. VFC-eligible children are those who are age birth to the 19th birthday and meet one or more of these criteria: Medicaid-eligible; American Indian or Alaskan native; uninsured or under-insured. Under-insured children are those whose insurance does not cover vaccines because a wellness plan cap has not been met, or only certain vaccines are covered.
The Department of Public Health will file claims for immunizations for clients who have other major insurance providers but clients will have to pay the entire vaccination fee at the time of the service. Please bring insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and/or Medicare Supplement information with you to your appointment.
We accept cash, personal checks with a NC address, debit card, and VISA, Mastercard and Discover credit cards.
The primary function of the International Travel Program is to provide customized travel health consultations to individuals traveling abroad (including those who are pregnant or higher risk). Destination specific immunizations are administered and preventative medicine services are offered. Additionally, the latest health and safety recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control for each destination is provided.
We offer travel services for individual vacationers, business travelers, church groups and missionary teams. Services include immunizations, international certificate of vaccination, malaria prevention medication, and travel consultation. Consultations are with experienced nursing staff and include travel packets of reference information and the most current travel information from: the Centers for Disease Control (CDC); the World Health Organization (WHO); the US State Department and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
To better serve you, we accept the following insurances:
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and UnitedHealthcare. If you have BCBS or UnitedHealthcare, you may be responsible for your deductible and/or co-payment at the time of service.
Aetna, Cigna and Medcost. Patients with these insurance plans will need to pay for their visit in full at the time of service. A claim will be filed on the patient’s behalf and if payment is received, the patient will receive a refund.
As a result of your clinic visit and if you are eligible, some travel medications may also be available for you at reduced costs from the Health Department Pharmacy. Please note that our Health Department Pharmacy does not accept insurance prescription cards.
Early Planning
Early planning for travel is the best prevention and protection against disease. Some immunizations are a 2 or 3 dose series that are given over a specific period of time. It is important to complete the series in order of have full protection against disease. It is best to allow at least three to six months for all necessary immunizations. Fees charged for travel services are competitive for this comprehensive, professional service. Cash, checks, and the above insurances are accepted. You do not have to be a Guilford County resident to be eligible for these services.
We are unable to offer consultations by phone; however, more information on recommended travel immunizations is available through the CDC’s Traveler’s Health website or by calling toll free 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747). A toll-free fax number for requesting information is 888-232-3299.
Clinic Days and Times
For your convenience, we offer services in both our Greensboro and High Point locations. In Greensboro we are located at 1100 East Wendover Avenue. Our High Point clinic is located at 501 East Green Drive. Call 336-641-3245, Monday-Friday for individual appointments.
For more information on disease outbreaks around the world, visit Health Map. International Travel Questions: Do you have questions about our International Travel services? Please Submit your questions. Our staff will respond to your question as soon as possible.
Are you a previous International Travel customer? If so, complete our Services Survey and let us know how we can improve!
To respond by mail, please click on the survey below, download and print it, complete it and return it by mail to Lora Coffey, Guilford County Department of Public Health, 1100 E. Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
To respond via email, please click on the survey below, save it to your computer, open it in the Adobe Reader program, complete it and then email it back as an attachment to lcoffey@guilfordcountync.gov.
Flu
Influenza (”flu”) is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus, which spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Influenza can lead to pneumonia and can be dangerous for people with heart or breathing conditions. It can cause high fever and seizures in children. Influenza kills about 36,000 people each year in the United States, mostly among the elderly.
Anyone can get influenza. For most people, it lasts only a few days but some people get much sicker. It can cause:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- headache
- chills
- muscle aches
- fatigue
Influenza vaccine can prevent influenza. It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after the vaccination, and protection can last up to a year. Influenza viruses are always changing. Therefore, influenza vaccines are updated every year, and an annual vaccination is recommended. Children younger than 9 years of age getting influenza vaccine for the first time should get 2 doses, given at least one month apart.
Influenza vaccine can be given to people 6 months of age and older. It is recommended for people who are at risk of complications from influenza, and for people who can spread influenza to those at high risk (including all household members):
People at high risk for complications from influenza:
- People 65 years of age and older.
- Residents of long-term care facilities housing persons with chronic medical conditions
- People who have long-term health problems with: heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, metabolic disease; such as diabetes, anemia and other blood disorders
- People with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or severe cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems.
- People with a weakened immune system due to: HIV/AIDS or other diseases affecting the immune system, long-term treatment with drugs such as steroids, and cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs.
- People 6 months to 18 years of age on long-term aspirin treatment (these people could develop Reye Syndrome if they got influenza).
- Women who will be pregnant during influenza season.
- All children 6-59 months of age.
The best time to get influenza vaccine is in October or November. Influenza season usually peaks in February, but it can peak any time from November through May. So getting the vaccine in December, or even later, can be beneficial in most years.
Pneumonia
Bacteria or viruses can usually cause pneumonia when they are inhaled into the lungs. Symptoms may take up to one week to appear. Some of these symptoms are fever and/or chills, mucus producing cough, feeling tired and weak; chest wall pain when coughing or breathing in. Treatment for pneumonia usually consist of an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor.
There are certain populations who are more at risk than others. These persons are the very young, adults 65 years and older, people with chronic diseases such as heart and lung disease, HIV infection, diabetes and those with weakened immune systems (caused by medication or by disease).
The best treatment is always prevention. One very important preventive measure is the pneumonia vaccine. This vaccine is helps protect against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria which can cause pneumonia.
Guilford County Department of Public Health has the pneumonia vaccine. To make an appointment in Greensboro or High Point, call 641-3245.