Vaccinations

Babies, children and adults need vaccinations to protect their health and prevent the spread of serious diseases. At Advocate Health Care, our providers offer routine vaccinations in multiple convenient locations. We provide all the preventive services you need to help your whole family stay healthy.

What is a vaccine?

A vaccine is a medical treatment that helps your body build immunity to a specific disease. Most vaccines are needle injections, although some may be given as a nasal spray or by mouth. If you have a fear of needles, your provider may be able to offer alternate solutions or recommendations to help lessen anxiety.

How do vaccines work?

Most vaccines contain weakened or inactive (dead) viruses or bacteria that cause specific diseases. These inactive viruses don’t infect you with the virus or make you sick. Rather, they tell your body to create antibodies, which are immune cells that recognize that specific bacteria or virus. Then, when your body encounters those germs again, the antibodies fight the infection effectively.

Some vaccines, such as the COVID vaccine, don’t contain weakened or dead viruses or bacteria. Instead, they contain molecules that tell your body how to create certain proteins found on the virus or bacteria. These proteins trigger an immune response so your body produces antibodies.

Why are immunizations important?

Many infectious diseases, such as measles and whooping cough, were once common – and often life-threatening. But the development of vaccines has helped eliminate many of these diseases.

Vaccines help your body build immunity to these diseases and help prevent their spread to your family and others. Vaccines also help you avoid problems caused by getting sick, such as:

• Missing work or school
• Paying more for medical care
• Being unable to care for yourself and your family
• Becoming severely ill or dying

You can and should get some vaccines yearly, such as the flu shot. You might need other vaccines at various ages or in certain situations, such as for health care work or international travel.

Convenient, comprehensive vaccinations

We make it easy to get the right vaccines at the right time to keep you healthy. We offer:

• Easy appointment scheduling: You can get vaccines at locations across the Chicago metro area. And we can usually get you in quickly for a vaccination – sometimes on the same day. You can schedule vaccine appointments with your primary care provider.
• Skilled vaccination team: You receive vaccinations from an experienced team trained to administer vaccines. Our nurses and medical assistants help make your experience smooth and easy.
• Affordable options: Health insurance often covers the cost of preventive care, including vaccines. Check with your insurance company to see if you have any out-of-pocket costs. Find out which insurance plans we accept. If you don’t have insurance, our team can help you understand your costs. Learn more about pricing and financial assistance.
• Vaccine reminders and history: The LiveWell app and website provide reminders of when you are due for a vaccine. You can also access your health record to keep track of vaccines you receive from any Advocate provider.