Healthy Together: Vaccine Guidance for Our Truckee & North Tahoe Community

Dear Neighbors in Truckee and North Tahoe,

As a local health provider, Tahoe Forest Health System wants to remind our community that keeping up with recommended vaccines is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family, and our community.

Why Vaccines Matter

1. They protect the vulnerable: Some people in our community are at higher risk of serious illness — including babies, older adults, and those with certain medical conditions. When more of us are vaccinated, we help reduce the spread of diseases and protect each other.
2. They help stop outbreaks: Even in rural or mountain communities, contagious diseases can spread quickly. Vaccines help to prevent outbreaks of illnesses like flu, whooping cough, and more.
3. They keep people healthy at every age: Vaccines are not just for children. Adults need shots, too — like annual flu vaccines, COVID-19 boosters, and others like tetanus or shingles. These protect you from serious complications throughout your life.
4. It’s okay if you missed a vaccine: If you or your child has missed a recommended vaccine, it’s not too late. The American Academy of Pediatrics has “catch-up” schedules to guide which shots are needed and when, based on age and past immunizations.

How do Vaccines Work?

Vaccines help your body learn how to fight disease. They show your immune system a tiny piece of a virus or bacteria so your body can make antibodies and “remember” how to protect you in the future. A small number of vaccines use live viruses that have been altered so they cannot cause an actual infection, but they still create a protective response.

Sometimes vaccines can cause a mild fever, tiredness or a sore arm in the first 4–48 hours. This is normal and means your body is building protection.

Vaccine Safety

Vaccines are tested for many years before doctors are allowed to use them. Even after they are approved, they are monitored very closely. Medical experts, scientific research groups, and national vaccine safety systems regularly review vaccine information to ensure they remain safe and effective.

Aluminum & Vaccines

Some vaccines use a very small amount of aluminum to help them work better. Aluminum is something we all come across every day — it’s in food, water, and even breast milk and formula. Because of this, babies naturally take in much more aluminum from eating than from getting vaccines. Our bodies know how to process and remove aluminum safely, no matter where it comes from. Studies have shown that the tiny amount used in vaccines is safe.

Vaccines and Autism

Many large studies from around the world show that vaccines do not cause autism. 40 high-quality studies in seven countries involving over 5.6 million people have found no connection. The idea that there was a connection between vaccines and autism came from a report that was later proven false. Autism has many different causes, including genetics. It often becomes noticeable around the same age when children get vaccines, which can make the two seem related even though they are not. Improved awareness and screening have contributed to increases in autism diagnoses, leading to earlier intervention and support for children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities.  Tahoe Forest Health System is aligned with the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians regarding vaccine safety.

Childhood and Teen Vaccines

Getting childhood vaccines on time is very important because it helps protect kids when they need it most. Doctors made the vaccine schedule carefully so children get each shot at the age when their bodies can respond the best. These ages are also when certain illnesses can be most dangerous. If a child waits too long or misses vaccines, they stay unprotected and can get sick more easily, and some of those infections can be very serious.

When kids get their vaccines on schedule, they are also less likely to pass sickness to newborns or people who have weak immune systems. When many people in a community are vaccinated on time, it helps create “herd immunity.” This means diseases have a harder time spreading, which keeps everyone safer.

These highlights regarding common childhood vaccines comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Your child’s provider can help you know which shots they need:

• Babies & young children (birth → 6 years): Shots include Hepatitis B, DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b), IPV (polio), PCV (pneumococcal), rotavirus, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella, Hepatitis A, and yearly influenza and COVID (starting at 6 months). aap.org
• School-age kids & teens (7 → 18 years): Booster doses are needed; HPV (human papillomavirus) series (recommended starting at age 9), meningococcal vaccines, and yearly influenza and COVID vaccines. aap.org

• Catch-up: If a child has missed any shots, providers use AAP “catch-up” tables to get them back on schedule safely. downloads.aap.org

For exact vaccine timing by month/age, please bring your child’s record to their next pediatric visit — we’ll review and schedule any needed doses.

Adult Vaccines

These are the routine vaccine recommendations from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Please talk with your provider to confirm which of these apply to you based on your age, medical history, or job exposures:

• COVID-19: The COVID vaccine was updated for the 2025-2026 season to better match currently circulating strains of COVID. All adults 65 and older should get routine COVID vaccines. Adults under age 65 with a medical condition or taking a medication that may make them more susceptible to infection should also get routine COVID vaccines. All other adults under 65 are strongly encouraged to get routine COVID vaccines. Depending on risk factors and when you get your COVID vaccine, you may need more than 1 dose. Check your record and talk to your provider for the exact dose timing. AAFP
• Influenza (flu): All adults should get a flu shot every year. Adults 65 or older should get a higher-dose flu vaccine when available. AAFP
• Tdap / Td (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis): Tetanus boosters are given every 10 years, or sooner in certain circumstances. All adults should receive at least one dose of Tdap as their Tetanus booster to boost protection against Pertussis, a bacteria that can cause serious illness or even death, especially in young children. AAFP
• Zoster (RZV — shingles): Adults age 50 or older should get 2 doses spaced at least 2 months apart. Adults under 50 who have had a Shingles outbreak or who are at higher risk for Shingles should also be vaccinated. Talk to your provider if you never had Chickenpox or the Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine prior to getting the Shingles vaccine. AAFP
• HPV (human papillomavirus): Recommended through age 26; may be given up to age 45 after talking with a provider. AAFP
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) & Varicella: Recommended for adults who have not been vaccinated or had these infections, especially if at higher risk of being exposed to one of these diseases, such as through work, travel, or if at higher risk of serious illness. AAFP
• Pneumococcal:  All adults 50 and older should receive at least 1 dose of PCV20 or PCV21.
• Other vaccines: Recommendations for other vaccines, like varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Meningococcal, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), Mpox, Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b) Polio, Yellow Fever, Typhoid, among others, depends on many factors like age, work and travel.  Your provider can help you decide what you need. AAFP

If you’re not sure what you’ve had, bring your vaccine record to your next visit. We can review and create a plan to catch up.

During Pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy is especially important because it protects both the mother and the baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends:

• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis): One dose during each pregnancy, ideally during the third trimester, to protect the baby from pertussis (whooping cough). ACOG+1
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): Recommended during the third trimester, between September and January.
• Influenza (flu vaccine): During every flu season, in any trimester. Lippincott Journals+1
• COVID-19: During every respiratory illness season, in any trimester. ACOG+1
• Other vaccines: Live vaccines (like MMR or chickenpox) should not be given during pregnancy but may be given before or after. ACOG+1

It is also important that your partner and other family members stay up to date with their vaccines. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please discuss your immunization record and upcoming vaccines with your obstetric provider — they can help tailor which vaccines you should receive, when, and why.

How Tahoe Forest Health System Can Help

• Talk to your provider: During your next visit, ask your provider which vaccines you or your family need. We can review your immunization records and help create a “catch-up” plan if needed.

• Get vaccines close to home. Many of our clinics — as well as local pharmacies — offer routine vaccines. Please call for availability.
  • TFHS Pediatric Clinic (by appointment or during your next visit):
    • Truckee – 530-587-3523
  • TFHS Primary Care Clinics (by appointment or during your next visit):
    • Truckee – 530-582-6205
    • Tahoe City – 530-581-8864
    • Incline Village – 775-831-6200
  • Local Pharmacies (walk-in options):
    • Tahoe Forest Community Pharmacy – 530-587-7607
    • CVS Truckee – 530-587-5775
    • CVS Tahoe City – 530-584-0250
    • Safeway Truckee – 530-582-7952
    • Safeway Kings Beach – 530-546-0186
    • Raley’s Incline Village – 775-831-3111
    • Village Pharmacy Incline Village – 775-831-1133

• Trusted resources: We rely on recommendations from the California Department of Public Health, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  See sources below for the full tables and notes. AAFP+1

Final Thoughts

Vaccines are a shared responsibility. By staying current on immunizations, we protect not just ourselves but also the more vulnerable among us—infants too young to be fully vaccinated, older adults, and those with health conditions. Thank you for doing your part to keep Truckee and North Tahoe safe and healthy.

Sincerely,
Tahoe Forest Health System

Sources

• American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) — Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2025 (Table 1: Vaccines by Age Group).
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) — Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, United States, 2025 (Table 1: Routine Immunization Schedule).
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Guidance on maternal immunization, including recommendations for Tdap, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy.
• California Department of Public Health – https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx
• Nevada County Public Health – Vaccine Facts – https://nevadacountyvaxfacts.com/