Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Spring 2021

FAMILY HEALTH 5 We may become immune to disease, or toxins, when we create antibodies. These antibodies fight against specific toxins. However, our body is not always ready to create antibodies for a disease, or it can create them too slowly. This can lead to getting very sick and can be fatal. Immunizations (vaccines or shots) help us become immune without getting too sick from that disease. How do vaccines help? Vaccines help protect your child’s body from specific toxins. The vaccine has a dead or weak form of the toxin that won’t cause harm. This will help your child’s body learn to create antibodies for this toxin. These antibodies will block live diseases from infecting your child. How do I get my child the vaccines they need? Babies need vaccines more often because their body is not immune to many toxins. This is why wellness visits are very important. y Your baby will need at least six visits between 0 and 15 months to get their vaccines. y As your child gets older, your doctor will keep you up-to-date on other suggested vaccines. y Children and young adults need a few more vaccines through 21 years of age. Get these vaccines at their yearly wellness exams. Find information on local immunization programs on the KFHC website at kernfamilyhealthcare.com . Can I protect my child from diseases? KFHC wellness rewards When you complete wellness visits for the age groups above, you may receive a reward from KFHC. Babies can get up to $60 in gift cards for completing the six wellness visits ($10 per wellness visit). Children can get a $15 reward per yearly wellness visit. And youth and young adults can get $20 per yearly wellness visit! All rewards are in the form of a gift card and are sent by mail. A full list of member rewards is on our website at kernfamilyhealthcare.com . Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention DID YOU KNOW? African American babies have a higher risk of dying before the age of 2. Give them the best chance at life with timely vaccines. more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19. Do you need help locating a vaccine site? 1. Please visit myturn.ca.gov to schedule your vaccine. 2. Don’t have a computer? Call MyTurn: 833-422-4255 . 3. Call Kern Public Health Services Department at 661-321-3000 . Do you know when you will be next to receive a vaccine? Visit kernpublichealth.com/ covid-19-vaccine-schedule . There is no cost for the COVID-19 vaccine. Please do not pay if someone tries to charge you. Only get the vaccine from a trusted health care site. If someone asks you to pay, call Kern Family Health Care (KFHC) right away at 800-391-2000 and let us know. “I WAS LUCKY to receive my COVID-19 vaccine, and I would like all Kern Family Health Care members to do the same to help protect you from getting COVID-19. The vaccines were carefully studied and found to be safe and effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” —Martha Tasinga, MD, KFHC Chief Medical Officer You can help stop the pandemic by getting the COVID-19 vaccine! —Continued from front page