All Ages

National Immunization Awareness Month: Are Your Vaccines Up to Date?

July is National Immunization Awareness Month — a reminder that vaccines aren’t just for kids. At Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte, we provide immunizations for children, adults, seniors, and women as part of our low-cost preventive care services.

Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools in preventive medicine — and yet millions of Americans fall behind on their recommended immunizations every year. Whether your child needs a school vaccination, you’re due for a flu shot, or your elderly parent hasn’t had a TDAP or shingles vaccine, July’s National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to get caught up. At Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte, immunizations are available across multiple service areas — from pediatrics and geriatric care to family planning and women’s health.

Children's Vaccinations and Well-Child Exams

One of the most important times to stay current on vaccines is during childhood. The CDC’s recommended childhood immunization schedule protects against more than a dozen diseases before a child turns two years old — and continues through adolescence.

At Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte, our pediatrician provides vaccinations as part of routine well-child exams, including:

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Hepatitis A and B
Polio (IPV)
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)
PCV (Pneumococcal)
Flu vaccine (annual)
HPV (for preteens and teens)
COVID-19 vaccine

Our Welcome Baby program supports new parents from birth, ensuring your newborn’s immunization schedule starts on time. We also offer audio and vision exams as part of well-child visits, so your child’s overall health is assessed at every appointment.

Children who participate in sports are required to be up to date on their vaccinations before participating in school athletics. Our pediatrician also performs sports physicals and can confirm or update immunization records at the same visit — saving your family a separate trip.

Tip for parents: California requires proof of vaccination for school enrollment. If your child is starting kindergarten, transitioning to middle school, or enrolling in a new school district, now is the time to check their immunization records.

Why Many Families Avoid Getting Help

Adults need vaccines too — and many don’t realize their childhood immunizations have worn off or that new vaccines are now recommended. Our primary care doctors at Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte provide adult immunizations as part of routine preventive care and health check-ups.

Commonly recommended adult vaccines include:

Flu vaccine — recommended annually for all adults
TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) — once as an adult, then Td booster every 10 years
COVID-19 vaccine — updated boosters recommended per current CDC guidance
Shingles (Zoster) — recommended for adults 50 and older
Pneumococcal — recommended for adults 65+ and certain younger adults with chronic conditions
Hepatitis B — recommended for unvaccinated adults under 60, and considered for those 60+
HPV — recommended through age 26, and may be recommended up to age 45

If you have a chronic disease such as diabetes or a heart or lung condition, staying current on certain vaccines is especially important. Our doctors can review your health history during a routine check-up and make personalized recommendations as part of your ongoing chronic disease management.

Immunizations for Seniors and Geriatric Care Patients

Older adults are among the most vulnerable to complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. The immune system naturally weakens with age, making vaccines both more necessary and occasionally less effective — which is why higher-dose or adjuvanted formulations exist for seniors.

Our geriatric care team at Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte provides the following immunizations for older adults:

High-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine — specifically formulated for adults 65+
Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV20 or PPSV23) — protect against pneumonia and bloodstream infections
Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) — two-dose series, highly effective in adults 50+
TDAP booster — especially important for grandparents in contact with newborns
COVID-19 updated booster

Geriatric care at our El Monte clinic also includes routine blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, audio and vision exams, and diet and weight loss counseling — making it easy to address your vaccines and overall health in one visit.

Vaccinations Through Women's Health and Family Planning

Immunization needs change throughout a woman’s life — and certain vaccines are especially important during the reproductive years and pregnancy.

Our women’s health and family planning services at Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte include vaccinations as part of routine care:

HPV vaccine — helps prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related conditions; recommended through age 26 and may be considered up to age 45
TDAP during pregnancy — recommended during each pregnancy (ideally between 27–36 weeks) to protect newborns from whooping cough
Flu vaccine during pregnancy — safe and strongly recommended during any trimester
Hepatitis B vaccine — recommended for unvaccinated women, particularly those at risk

Our women’s health services also include free well woman exams, pap smears, cancer screenings, and free STD testing and treatment — so you can address multiple health needs in a single visit. Our HIV testing services, available through family planning, are another important part of staying informed about your health.

How Our El Monte Clinic Can Help

At Priority Care Medical Group in El Monte — part of the Center for Family Health and Education network — we believe that cost should never be a barrier to staying protected. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC):

We accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, and most major insurance plans
We offer a sliding-fee scale for uninsured or low-income patients
Vaccinations are available for children, adults, seniors, and women — all in one clinic
We offer free transportation to and from our El Monte clinic (up to 5 miles)
Our insurance benefits counselors can help you find the lowest-cost coverage for your situation

If you are not sure which vaccines you or your family members need, our providers can review your immunization history and recommend what is due — at no extra cost during a routine visit.

Priority Care Medical Group — El Monte
Phone: (626) 575-4584
This Location’s Webpage: Priority Care Medical Group — El Monte (opens in new tab)

Vaccines Available at All of Our Locations

Vaccinations and immunization services are available across all Center for Family Health and Education and Priority Care Medical Group locations. If El Monte is not your closest clinic, visit us at any of our locations:

El Monte (opens in new tab) — (626) 575-4584
Long Beach (opens in new tab) — (562) 427-1700
Mission Hills (opens in new tab) — (818) 361-7358
Orange Cove (opens in new tab) — (559) 626-7118
Panorama City (opens in new tab) — (818) 899-5555
Van Nuys (opens in new tab) — (818) 781-2330
Victorville (opens in new tab) — (760) 666-4665

You can also view all locations and request an appointment online at cffhae.org/find-a-location (opens in new tab).

References

CDC – National Immunization Awareness Month: cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html
CDC – Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents: cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html
CDC – Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule: cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
American Academy of Pediatrics – Immunization: aap.org/en/patient-care/immunizations/
Immunization Action Coalition: immunize.org
California Department of Public Health – School Immunization Requirements: cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/School/shoImmReq.aspx

References

Pregnancy test: when to take, types & accuracy [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: my.clevelandclinic.org/ health/articles/9703-pregnancy-tests
What’s an IUD insertion like? [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 18]. Available from: plannedparenthood.org/ learn/birth-control/iud/whats-an-iud-insertion-like

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