Childhood Vaccinations

Public Health Clinic Location: 165 Miller Street

Call for Appointments: 203-630-4234

Hours: M-F, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Early Childhood Vaccines Help Prevent Severe Illness

Keeping your child healthy and preventing severe illness are top priorities. Recently, our Department gathered feedback from parents and caregivers here in Meriden. We learned how we can best support you with making informed health decisions for your child.

One of the ways we are supporting you, is by providing more information about early childhood vaccines. We have published this webpage, we’ll be getting out into the community to share additional information, visiting with pediatricians and other primary  care providers in Meriden, and posting timely information on our Facebook page.

Click here to follow the Meriden Department of Health and Human Services on Facebook.

Vaccines for Kids are Available in our Public Health Clinic

Our Public Health Clinic provides vaccines for Meriden kids, ages 18 and younger, at no cost regardless of their health insurance status. We are able to do this through the Connecticut Vaccine Program (CVP). CVP is a federal program that provides all Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated due to the inability to pay. For adults, we accept Connecticare, Cigna, and Aetna health insurance plans.

October 2024 Flu Shot Clinics

Free flu shots for Meriden residents, ages 18 and younger, regardless of health insurance status, are available at our Public Health Clinic (a.k.a "the clinic"). 

The Connecticut Department of Public Health requires kids between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old who attend pre-kindergarten, a licensed childcare center, group day care homes, or family day care, to get an annual flu shot by December 31.

Call (203) 630-4234 to schedule your flu shot appointment. We have the flu shot for adults, too! Make it a family affair! Adult flu shots are $20 (cash or check); FluBlock is $35 (cash or check). We accept Connecticare, Cigna, and Aetna health insurance plans. 

 

12 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Vaccines for Kids Ages 0 to 5:

1. Why are early childhood vaccines important?
They protect your child from common serious illnesses and those that are less common due to routine childhood vaccines. The early childhood vaccines build their immunity before they are most likely to be exposed to serious illnesses.

2. Who determines when the vaccines should be given?
The early childhood vaccine schedule is decided by health experts, like those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). They study when kids should get the vaccines based on factors like age and when they are most likely to be exposed to certain illnesses.

3. Are vaccines required for my child to attend school or daycare in Connecticut?
Yes. The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health requires kids, ages 6 months and older, who attend school or daycare to get certain vaccines. For pre-kindergarten, licensed childcare centers, group day care home, or family day care attendance, the annual flu shot is required each year by December 31. The flu shot is not required for K-12 grade school attendance (but we recommend it!).

Click here to view the full list of vaccines that are required by the state for young children to attend school or daycare. 

4. Where can my child get a free flu shot in Meriden?
Our Public Health Clinic has free flu shots for Meriden residents, ages 18 and younger, regardless of health insurance status. You may get a flu shot with your child. Adults have the option to pay cash for their flu shot or use their health insurance. The clinic accepts Connecticare, Cigna, and Aetna health insurance plans.

5. Is an annual COVID-19 shot one of the vaccines the state requires to attend school or daycare?
No, it is not required.

6. Where can my child get the other vaccines required for school?
Our Public Health Clinic provides vaccines for kids with and without health insurance. The clinic accepts Connecticare, Cigna, and Aetna health insurance plans. Through the Connecticut Vaccines Program (CVP), vaccines are provided at no cost to kids who are eligible, including those who don’t have health insurance or are underinsured.

7. Is the Public Health Clinic at the Health Department in Meriden open late or on the weekends?
Our Public Health Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We are closed on certain holidays. At times we are open late or on the weekend. On October 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2024, the clinic will be open until 6:00pm. On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the clinic will be open from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

8. I’d like to know what each childhood vaccine prevents?
Vaccines prevent your child from severe illness.

Click here to view the chart to learn more about what each vaccine prevents.

9. How many doses of each vaccine does my child need?
Each vaccine requires a specific number of doses to complete the series and be fully vaccinated. At our Public Health Clinic, all your child’s vaccine appointments are scheduled during your first visit, so you don’t have to worry about keeping track of the vaccines that require more than one dose. If your child sees a doctor outside of our clinic, ask them to schedule all your child’s vaccine appointments during your first visit. 

Click here to view the chart to see how many doses of each vaccine are needed to complete the series and be fully vaccinated.

10. Can vaccines make my child sick?
Vaccines help the body learn how to fight off illnesses. Sometimes, after getting a vaccine, your child may experience side effects such as a sore arm, tiredness, or a low fever. These side effects are usually a sign that the body is building protection against the illness. They should go away after a day or two. If your child has strong or long-lasting side effects from a vaccine call their doctor.

11. If English is not my first language, are translation services available at the doctor’s office?
Everyone in Connecticut has the right to translation services in a medical office. If you ask, translation services will be provided to you. Staff at the Meriden Health Department speak Spanish, and written materials are available in multiple languages.

12. I have questions about the recommended vaccines for my child. Who can answer them?
Please call our Public Health Clinic or make an appointment to see one of our nurses by calling (203) 630-4234 or call your child’s doctor. 

 

Additional Information on Early Childhood Vaccines is Available

If you would like to do additional research on the early childhood vaccines, here is a list of helpful web pages for you to review: