Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Whooping Cough) - Age 7 & Older Consent Form »

WHAT IS WHOOPING COUGH?

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. Although it initially resembles an ordinary cold, whooping cough may eventually turn more serious, particularly in infants.

Pertussis (whooping cough) can cause serious illness in infants, children and adults. The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. After 1 to 2 weeks, severe coughing can begin. Unlike the common cold, pertussis can become a series of coughing fits that continues for weeks. In infants, the cough can be minimal or not even there. Infants may have a symptom known as "apnea." Apnea is a pause in the child's breathing pattern. Pertussis is most dangerous for babies. About half of infants younger than 1 year of age who get the disease are hospitalized. Learn more about pertussis complications. Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from the lungs and you are forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. This extreme coughing can cause you to throw up and be very tired. The "whoop" is often not there and the infection is generally milder (less severe) in teens and adults, especially those who have been vaccinated.

Tetanus can cause:

• Runny nose
• Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease)
• Mild, occasional cough
• Apnea — a pause in breathing (in infants)
• Paroxysms (fits) of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched "whoop"
• Vomiting (throwing up)
• Fever and sweating
• Exhaustion (very tired) after coughing fits

----

WHY GET VACCINATED?

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis are very serious diseases. Tdap vaccine can protect us from these diseases. And, Tdap vaccine given to pregnant women can protect newborn babies against pertussis.

TETANUS (Lockjaw) is rare in the United States today. It causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness, usually all over the body.

• It can lead to tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth, swallow, or sometimes even breathe. Tetanus kills about 1 out of 10 people who are infected even after receiving the best medical care.

DIPHTHERIA is also rare in the United States today. It can cause a thick coating to form in the back of the throat.

• It can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, which can cause difficulty breathing, vomiting and disturbed sleep.

• It can also lead to weight loss, incontinence, and rib fractures. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications, which could include pneumonia or death.

These diseases are caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person through secretions from coughing or sneezing. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds.

Before vaccines, as many as 200,000 cases of diphtheria, 200,000 cases of pertussis, and hundreds of cases of tetanus, were reported in the United States each year. Since vaccination began, reports of cases for tetanus and diphtheria have dropped by about 99% and for pertussis by about 80%.

----

TDAP VACCINE

Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. One dose of Tdap is routinely given at age 11 or 12. People who did not get Tdap at that age should get it as soon as possible.

Tdap is especially important for healthcare professionals and anyone having close contact with a baby younger than 12 months.

Pregnant women should get a dose of Tdap during every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis. Infants are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis.

Another vaccine, called Td, protects against tetanus and diphtheria, but not pertussis. A Td booster should be given every 10 years. Tdap may be given as one of these boosters if you have never gotten Tdap before. Tdap may also be given after a severe cut or burn to prevent tetanus infection.

Your doctor or the person giving you the vaccine can give you more information.

Tdap may safely be given at the same time as other vaccines.

----

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET THIS VACCINE.

A person who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of any diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis containing vaccine, OR has a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, should not get Tdap vaccine. Tell the person giving the vaccine about any severe allergies.

Anyone who had coma or long repeated seizures within 7 days after a childhood dose of DTP or DTaP, or a previous dose of Tdap, should not get Tdap, unless a cause other than the vaccine was found. They can still get Td.

Talk to your doctor if you:

• have seizures or another nervous system problem,
• had severe pain or swelling after any vaccine containing diphtheria, tetanus or pertussis,
• ever had a conditioned called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS),
• aren’t feeling well on the day the shot is scheduled.

----

RISKS

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own. Serious reactions are also possible but are rare.

Most people who get Tdap vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild problems following Tdap

(Did not interfere with activities)

• Pain where the shot was given (about 3 in 4 adolescents or 2 in 3 adults)
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given (about 1 person in 5)
• Mild fever of at least 100.4°F (up to about 1 in 25 adolescents or 1 in 100 adults)
• Headache (about 3 or 4 people in 10)
• Tiredness (about 1 person in 3 or 4)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 in 4 adolescents or 1 in 10 adults)
• Chills, sore joints (about 1 person in 10)
• Body aches (about 1 person in 3 or 4)
• Rash, swollen glands (uncommon)

Moderate problems following Tdap

(Interfered with activities, but did not require medical attention)

• Pain where the shot was given (up to 1 in 5 or 6)
• Redness or swelling where the shot was given (up to about 1 in 16 adolescents or 1 in 12 adults)
• Fever over 102°F (about 1 in 100 adolescents or 1 in 250 adults)
• Headache (about 1 in 7 adolescents or 1 in 10 adults)
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache (up to 1 or 3 people in 100)
• Swelling of the entire arm where the shot was given (up to about 1 in 500).

Severe problems following Tdap

(Unable to perform usual activities; required medical attention)

• Swelling, severe pain, bleeding and redness in the arm where the shot was given (rare).

Problems that could happen after any vaccine:

• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
• Some people get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficulty moving the arm where a shot was given. This happens very rarely.
• Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at fewer than 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

----

WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS does not give medical advice.

----

THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation.

----

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your doctor. He or she can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

*Information from CDC website

Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - Pneumonia (Pneumovax) - Age 7 & Older Consent Form »

PDF - Pneumonia (Prevnar) - Age 7 & Older Consent Form »

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?

Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria that can spread from person to person through close contact. It can cause ear infections, and it can also lead to more serious infections of the:

• Lungs (pneumonia),
• Blood (bacteremia), and
• Covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). 

Pneumococcal pneumonia is most common among adults. Pneumococcal meningitis can cause deafness and brain damage, and it kills about 1 child in 10 who get it. 

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease, but children under 2 years of age and adults 65 years and older, people with certain medical conditions, and cigarette smokers are at the highest risk. 

Before there was a vaccine, the United States saw:

• more than 700 cases of meningitis,
• about 13,000 blood infections,
• about 5 million ear infections, and
• about 200 deaths in children under 5 each year from pneumococcal disease. 

Since vaccine became available, severe pneumococcal disease in these children has fallen by 88%. 

About 18,000 older adults die of pneumococcal disease each year in the United States. 

Treatment of pneumococcal infections with penicillin and other drugs is not as effective as it used to be, because some strains of the disease have become resistant to these drugs. This makes prevention of the disease, through vaccination, even more important.

----

PCV13 (PREVNAR) VACCINE

PCV13 (Prevnar) protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. 

PCV13 (Prevnar) is routinely given to children at 2, 4, 6, and 12–15 months of age. It is also recommended for children and adults 2 to 64 years of age with certain health conditions, and for all adults 65 years of age and older. Your doctor can give you details.

----

PPSV23 (PNEUMOVAX) VACCINE

PPSV23 (Pneumovax) protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It

will not prevent all pneumococcal disease.

PPSV23 (Pneumovax) is recommended for:

• All adults 65 years of age and older,
• Anyone 2 through 64 years of age with certain longterm health problems,
• Anyone 2 through 64 years of age with a weakened immune system,
• Adults 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes or have asthma.

Most people need only one dose of PPSV. A second dose is recommended for certain high-risk groups. People 65 and older should get a dose even if they have gotten one or more doses of the vaccine before they turned 65.

Your healthcare provider can give you more information about these recommendations.

Most healthy adults develop protection within 2 to 3 weeks of getting the shot.

----

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET THESE VACCINES

• Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to Pneumovax/Prevnar should not get another dose.
• Anyone who has a severe allergy to any component of Pneumovax/Prevnar should not receive it. Tell your provider if you have any severe allergies.
• Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a dose of PCV13 (Prevnar), to an earlier pneumococcal vaccine called PCV7, or to any vaccine containing diphtheria toxoid (for example, DTaP), should not get PCV13 (Prevnar).
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill when the shot is scheduled may be asked to wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. Someone with a mild illness can usually be vaccinated.
• Children less than 2 years of age should not receive the PPSV23 (Pneumovax) vaccine.
• There is no evidence that Pneumovax/Prevnar is harmful to either a pregnant woman or to her fetus. However, as a precaution, women who need the vaccine should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant, if possible.

----

RISKS OF A PCV13 (PREVNAR) VACCINE REACTION

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. 

Problems reported following PCV13 (Prevnar) varied by age and dose in the series. The most common problems reported among children were:

• About half became drowsy after the shot, had a temporary loss of appetite, or had redness or tenderness where the shot was given.
• About 1 out of 3 had swelling where the shot was given.
• About 1 out of 3 had a mild fever, and about 1 in 20 had a fever over 102.2°F.
• Up to about 8 out of 10 became fussy or irritable. 

Adults have reported pain, redness, and swelling where the shot was given; also mild fever, fatigue, headache, chills, or muscle pain. 

Young children who get PCV13 (Prevnar) along with inactivated flu vaccine at the same time may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information.

Problems that could happen after any vaccine:

• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
• Some older children and adults get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficulty moving the arm where a shot was given. This happens very rarely.
• Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

As with any medicine, there is a very small chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

----

RISKS OF A PPSV23 (PNEUMOVAX) VACCINE REACTION

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.

About half of people who get Pneumovax/Prevnar have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot is given, which go away within about two days.

Less than 1 out of 100 people develop a fever, muscle aches, or more severe local reactions.

Problems that could happen after any vaccine:

• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
• Some people get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficulty moving the arm where a shot was given. This happens very rarely.
• Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death. 

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

----

WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS does not give medical advice.

----

THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation.

----

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your healthcare provider. He or she can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

*Information from CDC website

Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - Shingles - Age 50 & Older Consent Form »

WHAT IS SHINGLES?

Shingles is a painful skin rash, often with blisters. It is also called Herpes Zoster, or just Zoster.

A shingles rash usually appears on one side of the face or body and lasts from 2 to 4 weeks. Its main symptom is pain, which can be quite severe. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. Very rarely, a shingles infection can lead to pneumonia, hearing problems, blindness, brain inflammation (encephalitis) or death.

For about 1 person in 5, severe pain can continue even long after the rash clears up. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

Shingles is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox.

Only someone who has had chickenpox—or, rarely, has gotten chickenpox vaccine—can get shingles. The virus stays in your body, and can cause shingles many years later.

You can’t catch shingles from another person with shingles. However, a person who has never had chickenpox (or chickenpox vaccine) could get chickenpox from someone with shingles. This is not very common.

Shingles is far more common in people 50 years of age and older than in younger people. It is also more common in people whose immune systems are weakened because of a disease such as cancer, or drugs such as steroids or chemotherapy.

At least 1 million people a year in the United States get shingles.

——

SHINGLES VACCINE?

A vaccine for shingles was licensed in 2006. In clinical trials, the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by 50%. It can also reduce pain in people who still get shingles after being vaccinated.

A single dose of shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 60 years of age and older.

——

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET SHINGLES VACCINE OR SHOULD WAIT.

A person should not get shingles vaccine who:

• has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to gelatin, the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of shingles vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.
• has a weakened immune system because of current:
• AIDS or another disease that affects the immune system,
• treatment with drugs that affect the immune system, such as prolonged use of high-dose steroids,
• cancer treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy,
• cancer affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, such as leukemia or lymphoma.
• is pregnant, or might be pregnant. Women should not become pregnant until at least 4 weeks after getting shingles vaccine.

Someone with a minor acute illness, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. But anyone with a moderate or severe acute illness should usually wait until they recover before getting the vaccine. This includes anyone with a temperature of 101.3° F or higher.

——

WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM SHINGLES VACCINE?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. However, the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

No serious problems have been identified with shingles vaccine.

Mild problems

• Redness, soreness, swelling, or itching at the site of the injection (about 1 person in 3).
• Headache (about 1 person in 70).

Like all vaccines, shingles vaccine is being closely monitored for unusual or severe problems.

——

WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.

——

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your doctor.
• Contact your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

*Information from CDC website

Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - HPV - Age 9 through 14 Consent Form »

PDF - HPV - Age 15 through 26 Consent Form »

WHAT IS HPV?

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives. 

About 20 million Americans are currently infected, and about 6 million more get infected each year. HPV is usually spread through sexual contact.

Most HPV infections don’t cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In the United States, about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year and about 4,000 are expected to die from it.

HPV is also associated with several less common cancers, such as vaginal and vulvar cancers in women, and anal and oropharyngeal (back of the throat, including base of tongue and tonsils) cancers in both men and women. HPV can also cause genital warts and warts in the throat.

There is no cure for HPV infection, but some of the problems it causes can be treated.

——

WHY GET VACCINATED?

Gardasil:

Protects against 4 different types of HPV infections.

Is one vaccine that can be given to prevent HPV. It may be given to both males and females. 

This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before exposure to the virus. In addition, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females, and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.

Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be longlasting. But vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. Women should still get regular Pap tests.

Gardasil-9:

Protects against 9 different types of HPV infections.

Prevents many cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, including:

• cervical cancer in females,
• vaginal and vulvar cancers in females, and
• anal cancer in females and males.

In addition to these cancers, Gardasil-9 also prevents genital warts in both females and males. 

In the U.S., about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year, and about 4,000 women die from it. Gardasil-9 can prevent most of these cancers.

HPV infection usually comes from sexual contact, and most people will become infected at some point in their life. About 14 million Americans get infected every year. Many infections will go away and not cause serious problems. But thousands of women and men get cancer and diseases from HPV.

Gardasil-9 is one of three FDA-approved HPV vaccines. It is recommended for both males and females. It is routinely given at 11 or 12 years of age, but it may be given beginning at age 9 years through age 26 years.

Three doses of Gardasil-9 are recommended with the second and third dose 1-2 months and 6 months after the first dose.

Vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening. This vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer. Women should still get regular Pap tests.

——

WHO SHOULD GET HPV VACCINE AND WHEN?

HPV vaccine is given as a 3-dose series

• 1st Dose - Now
• 2nd Dose - 1 to 2 months after Dose 1
• 3rd Dose - 6 months after Dose 1

Additional (booster) doses are not recommended.

Routine vaccination

This HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys 11 or 12 years of age. It may be given starting at age 9.

Why is HPV vaccine recommended at 11 or 12 years of age?

HPV infection is easily acquired, even with only one sex partner. That is why it is important to get HPV vaccine before any sexual contact takes place. Also, response to the vaccine is better at this age than at older ages.

Catch-up vaccination

This vaccine is recommended for the following people who have not completed the 3-dose series:

• Females 13 through 26 years of age.
• Males 13 through 21 years of age.

This vaccine may be given to men 22 through 26 years of age who have not completed the 3-dose series.

It is recommended for men through age 26 who have sex with men or whose immune system is weakened because of HIV infection, other illness, or medications.

HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

——

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET THIS VACCINE

• Anyone who has had a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction to a dose of HPV vaccine should not get another dose.
• Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any component of HPV vaccine should not get the vaccine.

Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies that you know of, including a severe allergy to yeast.

• HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. If you learn that you were pregnant when you were vaccinated, there is no reason to expect any problems for you or the baby. Any woman who learns she was pregnant when she got this HPV vaccine is encouraged to contact the manufacturer’s registry for HPV vaccination during pregnancy at 1-800-986-8999. Women who are breastfeeding may be vaccinated.
• If you have a mild illness you can probably get the vaccine today. If you are moderately or severely ill, you should probably wait until you recover. Your doctor can advise you.

——

RISKS OF A VACCINE REACTION

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of side effects. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible.

Most people who get HPV vaccine do not have any problems with it.

Mild or moderate problems

Reactions in the arm where the shot was given:

• Pain (about 9 people in 10)
• Redness or swelling (about 1 person in 3)

Fever:

• Mild (100°F) (about 1 person in 10)
• Moderate (102°F) (about 1 person in 65)

Other problems:

• Headache (about 1 person in 3)

Problems that could happen after any vaccine:

• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
• Some people get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficulty moving the arm where a shot was given. This happens very rarely.
• Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death.

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

——

WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would usually start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.

Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS does not give medical advice.

——

THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation.

——

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your doctor. He or she can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information.
• Call your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/hpv

*Information from CDC website

Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - Influenza (Flu) - Age 7 & Older Consent Form »

WHAT IS INFLUENZA?

Influenza (“flu”) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year, usually between October and May. 

Flu is caused by influenza viruses, and is spread mainly by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. 

Anyone can get flu. Flu strikes suddenly and can last several days. Symptoms vary by age, but can include: 

• fever/chills 
• sore throat 
• muscle aches 
• fatigue 
• cough 
• headache 
• runny or stuffy nose 

Flu can also lead to pneumonia and blood infections, and cause diarrhea and seizures in children. If you have a medical condition, such as heart or lung disease, flu can make it worse. 

Flu is more dangerous for some people. Infants and young children, people 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions or a weakened immune system are at greatest risk. 

Each year thousands of people in the United States die from flu, and many more are hospitalized.

Flu vaccine can: 

• keep you from getting flu, 
• make flu less severe if you do get it, and 
• keep you from spreading flu to your family and other people. 

INACTIVATED AND RECOMBINANT FLU VACCINES

A dose of flu vaccine is recommended every flu season. Children 6 months through 8 years of age may need two doses during the same flu season. Everyone else needs only one dose each flu season. 

Some inactivated flu vaccines contain a very small amount of a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal. Studies have not shown thimerosal in vaccines to be harmful, but flu vaccines that do not contain thimerosal are available. 

There is no live flu virus in flu shots. They cannot cause the flu. 

There are many flu viruses, and they are always changing. Each year a new flu vaccine is made to protect against three or four viruses that are likely to cause disease in the upcoming flu season. But even when the vaccine doesn’t exactly match these viruses, it may still provide some protection. 

Flu vaccine cannot prevent: 

• flu that is caused by a virus not covered by the vaccine, or 
• illnesses that look like flu but are not. 

It takes about 2 weeks for protection to develop after vaccination, and protection lasts through the flu season.

SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET THIS VACCINE

Tell the person who is giving you the vaccine: 

• If you have any severe, life-threatening allergies. If you ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a dose of flu vaccine, or have a severe allergy to any part of this vaccine, you may be advised not to get vaccinated. Most, but not all, types of flu vaccine contain a small amount of egg protein. 
• If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (also called GBS). Some people with a history of GBS should not get this vaccine. This should be discussed with your doctor. 
• If you are not feeling well. It is usually okay to get flu vaccine when you have a mild illness, but you might be asked to come back when you feel better.

RISKS OF A VACCINE REACTION

With any medicine, including vaccines, there is a chance of reactions. These are usually mild and go away on their own, but serious reactions are also possible. 

Most people who get a flu shot do not have any problems with it. 

Minor problems following a flu shot include: 

• soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given 
• hoarseness 
• sore, red or itchy eyes 
• cough 
• fever 
• aches 
• headache 
• itching 
• fatigue 

If these problems occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1 or 2 days. 

More serious problems following a flu shot can include the following: 

• There may be a small increased risk of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) after inactivated flu vaccine. This risk has been estimated at 1 or 2 additional cases per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe complications from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine. 
• Young children who get the flu shot along with pneumococcal vaccine (PCV13) and/or DTaP vaccine at the same time might be slightly more likely to have a seizure caused by fever. Ask your doctor for more information. Tell your doctor if a child who is getting flu vaccine has ever had a seizure. 

Problems that could happen after any injected vaccine:

• People sometimes faint after a medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes can help prevent fainting, and injuries caused by a fall. Tell your doctor if you feel dizzy, or have vision changes or ringing in the ears. 
• Some people get severe pain in the shoulder and have difficulty moving the arm where a shot was given. This happens very rarely. 
• Any medication can cause a severe allergic reaction. Such reactions from a vaccine are very rare, estimated at about 1 in a million doses, and would happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. 

As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a serious injury or death. 

The safety of vaccines is always being monitored. For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/

WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

• Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or unusual behavior.
• Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. 

What should I do? 

• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
• Reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor should file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967. 

VAERS does not give medical advice.

THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines. 

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation. There is a time limit to file a claim for compensation.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your healthcare provider. He or she can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information. 
• Call your local or state health department. 
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

1. Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
2. Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/flu

*Information from CDC website

Fill Out the consent form below and bring it into your local Schwieterman Pharmacy.

PDF - Meningitis ACWY - Age 11 & Older Consent Form »

PDF - Meningitis B - Ages 10 through 25 Consent Form »

WHAT IS MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE?

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness. It is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 through 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and the spinal cord.

Meningococcal disease also causes blood infections.

About 1,000–1,200 people get meningococcal disease each year in the U.S. Even when they are treated with antibiotics, 10–15% of these people die. Of those who live, another 11%–19% lose their arms or legs, have problems with their nervous systems, become deaf, or suffer seizures or strokes.

Anyone can get meningococcal disease. But it is most common in infants less than one year of age and people 16–21 years. Children with certain medical conditions, such as lack of a spleen, have an increased risk of getting meningococcal disease. College freshmen living in dorms are also at increased risk.

Meningococcal infections can be treated with drugs such as penicillin. Still, many people who get the disease die from it, and many others are affected for life. This is why preventing the disease through use of meningococcal vaccine is important for people at highest risk.

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MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE:

There are two kinds of meningococcal vaccine in the U.S.:

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is the preferred vaccine for people 55 years of age and younger.
• Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) has been available since the 1970s. It is the only meningococcal vaccine licensed for people older than 55.

Both vaccines can prevent 4 types of meningococcal disease, including 2 of the 3 types most common in the United States and a type that causes epidemics in Africa. There are other types of meningococcal disease; the vaccines do not protect against these.

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WHO SHOULD GET MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE AND WHEN?

Routine vaccination

Two doses of MCV4 are recommended for adolescents 11 through 18 years of age: the first dose at 11 or 12 years of age, with a booster dose at age 16.

Adolescents in this age group with HIV infection should get three doses: 2 doses 2 months apart at 11 or 12 years, plus a booster at age 16.

If the first dose (or series) is given between 13 and 15 years of age, the booster should be given between 16 and 18. If the first dose (or series) is given after the 16th birthday, a booster is not needed.

Other people at increased risk

• College freshmen living in dormitories.
• Laboratory personnel who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria.
• U.S. military recruits.
• Anyone traveling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa.
• Anyone who has a damaged spleen, or whose spleen has been removed.
• Anyone who has persistent complement component deficiency (an immune system disorder).
• People who might have been exposed to meningitis during an outbreak.

Children between 9 and 23 months of age, and anyone else with certain medical conditions need 2 doses for adequate protection. Ask your doctor about the number and timing of doses, and the need for booster doses.

MCV4 is the preferred vaccine for people in these groups who are 9 months through 55 years of age. MPSV4 can be used for adults older than 55.

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SOME PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GET MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE OR SHOULD WAIT.

• Anyone who has ever had a severe (life-threatening) allergic reaction to a previous dose of MCV4 or MPSV4 vaccine should not get another dose of either vaccine.
• Anyone who has a severe (life threatening) allergy to any vaccine component should not get the vaccine. Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies.
• Anyone who is moderately or severely ill at the time the shot is scheduled should probably wait until they recover. Ask your doctor. People with a mild illness can usually get the vaccine.
• Meningococcal vaccines may be given to pregnant women. MCV4 is a fairly new vaccine and has not been studied in pregnant women as much as MPSV4 has. It should be used only if clearly needed. The manufacturers of MCV4 maintain pregnancy registries for women who are vaccinated while pregnant.

Except for children with sickle cell disease or without a working spleen, meningococcal vaccines may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

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WHAT ARE THE RISKS FROM MENINGOCOCCAL VACCCINES?

A vaccine, like any medicine, could possibly cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. The risk of meningococcal vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.

• Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking or seizure-like movements) can follow a vaccination. They happen most often with adolescents, and they can result in falls and injuries.
• Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after getting the shot—especially if you feel faint—can help prevent these injuries.

Mild problems

As many as half the people who get meningococcal vaccines have mild side effects, such as redness or pain where the shot was given.

If these problems occur, they usually last for 1 or 2 days. They are more common after MCV4 than after MPSV4.

A small percentage of people who receive the vaccine develop a mild fever.

Severe problems

Serious allergic reactions, within a few minutes to a few hours of the shot, are very rare.

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WHAT IF THERE IS A SERIOUS REACTION?

What should I look for?

Look for anything that concerns you, such as signs of a severe allergic reaction, very high fever, or behavior changes.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, and weakness. These would start a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.

What should I do?

• If you think it is a severe allergic reaction or other emergency that can’t wait, call 9-1-1 or get the person to the nearest hospital. Otherwise, call your doctor.
• Afterward, the reaction should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your doctor might file this report, or you can do it yourself through the VAERS web site at www.vaers.hhs.gov, or by calling 1-800-822-7967.

VAERS is only for reporting reactions. They do not give medical advice.

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THE NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is a federal program that was created to compensate people who may have been injured by certain vaccines.

Persons who believe they may have been injured by a vaccine can learn about the program and about filing a claim by calling 1-800-338-2382 or visiting the VICP website at www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation.

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HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?

• Ask your doctor.
• Contact your local or state health department.
• Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
• Call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or
• Visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines

*Information from CDC website