HDNW - Immunizations

Immunizations Office Hours and Locations

HDNW offices are open Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm. Our Immunization Clinics vary from month to month in each county office. Clinics are located in Charlevoix, Boyne City, Bellaire, Mancelona, Gaylord, Petoskey/Harbor Springs, and Pellston. Please call 1-800-432-4121 to schedule an appointment.

Why Immunize?

Immunization is a safe and effective process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. For more information on immunizations, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Immunization Action Coalition. For more information about Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, visit Child and Teen Vaccine-Preventable Diseases E-book.

The HDNW provides vaccines to protect against the following to all children and adults:

Fees

Immunizations do not have to be expensive. The HDNW has special programs for immunizations. No child will be denied needed immunizations due to the inability to pay. A fee may be charged or a donation requested for each individual who is immunized. Medicaid and private insurance are also accepted.

VFC Program:

The Vaccine for Children Program provides free immunizations to children age 18 and younger. To qualify, a child must meet one of the following conditions:

Medicaid-eligible or Medicaid-enrolled
Uninsured or without any health insurance coverage
Underinsured or has insurance that does not cover immunizations
American Indian or Alaskan Native

*An administration fee of $10 is requested per immunization.
Private Providers interested in becoming a VFC Provider are encouraged to contact the HDNW for additional information.

MIAVP

The Michigan Adult Vaccine Program offers select immunizations to adults 19 years and older free of charge. Adults must be without health insurance or underinsured and must meet individual immunization requirements. The following immunizations are currently available through the MIAVP:

Td, Tdap
MMR
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV)
Pneumovax
Prevnar
Shingrix (Shingles)

*An administration fee of $10 is requested per immunization.

Insurance: HDNW accepts the following insurances:

Blue Care Network
Blue Cross/Blue Shield
McLaren Health Advantage
Priority Health
Tri-Care (Standard)
United Healthcare

*Clients are advised to contact their insurance provider to verify coverage of immunizations prior to making an appointment.

Immunization Waiver and Medical Contraindications for Daycare Centers, Preschool and/or Schools

Michigan state law mandates that each childcare program/center and school to report to the local health department the immunization status of all children in a licensed childcare program/center, all kindergarteners, all 7th graders and all students that are new to their district. If any of the previous mentioned students are not up to date for required immunizations the student shall be excluded until the student has appropriate documentation:

A complete immunization record or
A physician-signed State of Michigan Medical Contraindication Form: If your child has a medical reason (that is, a true contraindication or precaution) for not receiving a vaccine, a physician must sign the State of Michigan Medical Contraindication Form (which is available at your doctor's office, and not the county health department). This form must be completed and signed by a physician before it can be submitted to a school or child-care center.
A current, certified State of Michigan Nonmedical Immunization Waiver Form: A nonmedical waiver is a written statement by parents/guardians describing their religious or philosophical (other) objections to specific vaccine/vaccines, on a form provided by the county health department. Parents/guardians are required to contact their county health department to receive immunization waiver education and a current certified State of Michigan Immunization Waiver Form.

MCIR (Michigan Care Improvement Registry)

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) is an immunization information system (IIS) that records and stores immunization information for all residents who receive immunizations anywhere in the state of Michigan. It is accessible to authorized users (physicians, health care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, health departments, day care centers, schools and camps) to retrieve current patient and student immunization information from MCIR and submit data as it becomes available. The HDNW encourages all providers to enter ALL immunizations into MCIR provided for ALL clients.

The MCIR not only maintains immunization histories, it will also provide a list of due and overdue immunizations, immunization status to recommend future dose dates, and can be utilized to generate reminder notices for upcoming and overdue immunizations.

MCIR is an opt out registry. People who wish to exclude immunization records from the MCIR can sign an "opt out" form, available through your local health care provider or the Health Department. The form allows the State to make an immunization record inaccessible to authorized users. If a person decides they again want their immunization information available to providers, an opt out can be rescinded in writing and submitted to the provider or local health department.

If you have further questions regarding MCIR, you may request more information from Health Department of Northwest Michigan, your health care provider, or by calling the Region #5 MCIR Help Desk at 888-217-3904 or by visiting the MCIR website and clicking on "Public."

Immunization Update for Office Staff Education

Immunization Nurse Educators (INE) from both the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and local health departments (LHDs) provide free immunization education to provider office staff throughout the state. The educational modules are developed and maintained by a core group of MDHHS nurses. Registered nurses from local health departments who have met the established qualifications and requirements and have completed the MDHHS INE orientation are approved to teach these immunization educational programs within their local jurisdiction. All in-services are conducted free of charge to the provider. Presentations last approximately 1-2 hours and are approved for nursing contact hours and continuing medical education credit.

A variety of educational modules are available. Topics include Pediatric Immunization, Adolescent Immunization, Adult Immunization, Vaccines for Women's Health, Influenza Vaccine and Immunizations for Health Care Personnel. More details are included in the Free Immunization Education Programs handout.

Call 1-800-432-4121 to schedule an INE and/or for more information.