Immunizations
Parents/guardians are required to submit:
• A complete immunization record or
• A physician (MD/DO)-signed State of Michigan Medical Contraindication Form or
• A current, certified State of Michigan Nonmedical Immunization Waiver Form
Students without a completed immunization record and/or a certified waiver form are subject to exclusion from school or childcare unless the student is in a “provisional” category. Children in the provisional category are defined as those who have received 1 or more doses of vaccine but need to wait the recommended time to receive the next dose.
Click HERE for immunizations needed. Spanish Click Here
Vaccine Recommendations and School or Daycare Rules, What is the difference?
Kent County Immunization Clinics
Kent County Health Department has several clinic locations throughout Kent County. You can make an appointment by appointment by calling (616) 632-7200. All clinics are open Monday through Friday, however hours vary by location. TB tests are not administered on Thursdays and at certain times prior to a holiday. Test results must be verified by a public health nurse within 48 to 72 hours after administration.
Clinic Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday:
8:00am - 4:45pm
CLOSED 11:30am - 12:45pm1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday of Month:
12:45pm - 4:45pm
2nd & 4th Thursday of Month:
10:00am - 12:30pm & 1:45pm - 6:45pm
Locations
Fuller Clinic (Main)
700 Fuller NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Get DirectionsPhone: (616) 632-7200
FAX: (616) 632-7013South Clinic
4700 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get DirectionsPhone: (616) 632-7200
FAX: (616) 827-2409
North County Clinic
Temporary Clinic
North Kent Connect
10075 Northland Dr. NE
Rockford, MI 49341
Get DirectionsPhone: (616) 632-7200
Cedar Springs Clinic
4191 17 Mile Rd NE
Cedar Springs, MI 49319
Get DirectionsSheldon Clinic Sheldon Complex
121 Franklin SE, Ste. 130
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Get DirectionsPhone: (616) 632-7200
FAX: (616) 632-7028
WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE HEALTH CENTER:
- IMMUNIZATION RECORD(S) for all persons being immunized
- INSURANCE CARDS(S) for all persons being immunized
- VALID IDENTIFICATION
Fees
Please visit the Kent County Health Department Website for more information regarding potential fees.
Insurance
Many health insurance plans cover routine immunizations. The Kent County Health Department bills only Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Blue Care Network. If the client is fully insured by any other company, vaccines will be administered at the current fee schedule.
Kent County Immunization Waiver Policy
The Kent County Health Department’s mission statement is to serve, protect, and promote a healthy community for all. Our mission includes protecting the public from vaccine-preventable diseases. Many diseases that have been eliminated or rare are making a comeback. There have been large increases in pertussis (whooping cough), measles, and chickenpox diseases throughout the United States. While many people may only become moderately ill with these diseases, the most vulnerable in our community; infants, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions could suffer serious consequences such as hospitalization and death. Even healthy people have developed these same consequences.
It is our responsibility to ensure that parents/guardians have an opportunity to have their questions answered, discuss concerns, and be offered scientific-based education on the benefits of vaccination and the risks of disease before signing a waiver.
What if you don’t immunize your child?
- Your child is at greater risk of catching a vaccine-preventable disease
- Your child may infect others in our community if they come down with the disease
- Your child may be excluded from daycare, pre-school, or school for several days or weeks to prevent them catching or spreading a vaccine-preventable disease
What to do to obtain a nonmedical waiver:
We strongly encourage you to immunize your child, but if you have chosen to waive your child’s immunizations, you must make an appointment at a Kent County Health Department Immunization Clinic to speak with a nurse. Clinic locations can be found at www.accesskent.com/immunizations.
To make an appointment at any of our four locations, please call 616 632-7200.
Please note that the schools will no longer have waivers. You must receive a certified waiver from the health department for it to be a valid waiver.
Medical waivers must be obtained from your doctor. The medical waiver forms can be found at www.michigan.gov/immunize under the Health Care Professionals/Providers link or at www.mcir.org under the School/Childcare link.