Immunizations are important for people of all ages

The Delaware County Health Department provides immunizations to children, adolescents, and adults.

For questions about eligibility or to make an appointment, call 484-276-2100

• Available at no cost for those who do not have insurance
• Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over 18
• Previous immunization records must be brought to the appointment

Immunizations are provided to prevent the following diseases:

Chickenpox (Varicella)

COVID

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTap, Td, Tdap)

Hepatitis (A and B)

Haemophilus type B (Hib)

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Influenza (seasonal)

Meningitis (Meningococcal)

Pneumonia (Pneumococcal, Prevnar)

Polio (IPV)

 

RECOMMENDED IMMUNIZATIONS

For Infants

Infants and young children are often at higher risk of serious problems if they get a vaccine-preventable disease. Make sure they get all their immunizations on time, every time.

 

For Children

Children in childcare and school may be exposed to diseases. It is important for their immunizations to be up to date. It’s not too late to catch up. If your child missed any immunizations recommended at younger ages, be sure to catch up now.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires certain immunizations for attendance at schools in the state.

 

For Teens

Teens and young adults should catch up on all missed immunizations to protect themselves from vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition to receiving a yearly flu vaccine, adolescents should receive these three recommended vaccines:

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) – A booster is recommended at age 11–12 to protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.
• Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine – Recommended at age 11–12, with a booster at age 16 to help protect against meningococcal disease.
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccine – Recommended starting at age 11–12 to protect against HPV-related cancers and other diseases. The number of doses depends on the age when the series is started.

Pennsylvania's immunization requirements for school attendance continue into the teen years. Staying up to date on these vaccines helps keep students healthy and ready to learn. 

 

For Adults

The specific vaccines needed by adults are determined by age, lifestyle, risk conditions, locations of travel and previous vaccines.

The need for immunizations doesn’t end with childhood. Each year, thousands of adults in the U. S. suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, including influenza, whooping cough, certain bacterial infections, hepatitis A and B, shingles and even some cancers such as cervical cancer and liver cancer.

Protection from some childhood immunizations decreases over time, leaving adults vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, whooping cough (pertussis) has made a significant resurgence in the United States. In 2025, nearly 29,000 cases of whooping cough were reported, the highest annual total since 2012, were associated with the disease. Because protection from the childhood DTaP vaccine wanes over time, the CDC recommends that all adults receive a one-time Tdap vaccine if they did not receive it as an adolescent, followed by a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. Staying up to date on vaccinations helps protect you, your family, and those most vulnerable to severe illness.

Reference: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/ivac/2026/whooping-cough-vaccination-coverage-remains-below-targets

Adults may be recommended for certain vaccines due to their age, job, hobbies, travel or health condition. Other vaccines may be recommended if they didn’t get certain vaccines as children.

Some adults, including older adults and those who have chronic health conditions, may be at higher risk for serious complications from some vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, because older age increases the chance of getting shingles, CDC recommends that adults get the shingles vaccine once they turn 60 years old. People with diabetes, heart disease and COPD or asthma, even if well managed, are more likely than those without these conditions to have complications from the flu. To prevent possible complications like pneumonia, people with these chronic conditions should get a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in addition to a yearly flu vaccine.

Adult immunization also helps prevent the spread of certain diseases to loved ones and those in the community who are most vulnerable to disease (like infants and those with weakened immune systems).

Talk with your doctor to find out which vaccines are right for you.

 

TRAVEL IMMUNIZATIONS

The Delaware County Health Department does not currently provide travel immunizations. Travelers should consult a healthcare provider or travel medicine clinic well in advance of their trip to determine which vaccines or medications may be recommended.

Use the link below to learn more about travel vaccines and health guidance for your destination: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Immunization schedules
• Pennsylvania Department of Health
• Immunization.org
• Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition
• Immunization for Travelers

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For more information and assistance, the Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to responding to phone calls, the Wellness Line also responds to email inquiries.

Phone: (484) 276-2100 (Available 24/7)
EMAIL: DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us