Everyone knows children need vacci­nations to protect them from disease as well as routine booster shots to main­tain that protection. But adults also need to get routine shots.  The St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment has developed a new Adult Immunization Program, or AIP.  Gil Copley, director of the St. Charles County health department said vaccina­tions people received as children may not pro­tect them as adults and immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases can fade over time.  In addition, researchers develop new vaccines to guard against disease.  The new AIP offers an easy, low-cost way for St. Charles County adults to get vaccinated.  The Adult Immunization Program cur­rently offers vaccinations to protect against:  Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR); Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td); Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap); Varicella (chickenpox); Polio; bacterial meningitis; and Hepatitis A and B.  Other vaccines may be offered in the future.

Appointments are required and the cost of the shots vary. To make an appoint­ment, call (636) 949-1857 or 636-949-7400. The clinic, located at 1650 Boone's Lick Road, St. Charles, is open from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.  On Tuesdays, afternoon clinic hours are extend­ed to 5:30 p.m., and to 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month.