Health

Children's Immunizations. Day care centers and schools in California require a child's immunization record before admission. We recommend that you bring translated vaccination records for each child, as well as medical and dental histories, and a current vision prescription and a one month supply of prescription medication. If your children do not have the required immunizations, they will need to be immunized prior to enrolling in day care or school. A tuberculosis test (TB test) is also required. If your child was previously immunized for TB, you should tell your U.S. pediatrician because your child will test positive for TB.

Glossary

• Polio: same
• DtaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus
• HIB: Haemophilus Influenza
• Hepatitis B: same
• MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella
• Chicken Pox (or Varicella)
• Hepatitis A: same
• Pneumococcal: same

Adult Immunizations. If you need to have a vaccination shot, the Pasadena Public Health Department's Adult and Travel Immunization Clinic is able to give any vaccination, without making an appointment.

If you have to see a doctor, you will need to make an appointment and go in person to his /her office. U.S. doctors do not make house calls. If you are severely sick or injured, call 911 to be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. From Caltech, the nearest is Huntington Hospital (5 minutes' drive from Caltech).

You can purchase "over-the-counter" medication in grocery stores and pharmacies (commonly called "drug stores") without a prescription. If your doctor issues a prescription, you will have to take it to a pharmacy. Some pharmacies are housed within grocery stores, but not all grocery stores contain pharmacies.

Brown and Welin Pharmacy • 937 E. Green Street, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)
CVS • 727 S. Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena
Ralphs • 160 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)
Rite Aid • 1038 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)
Von's • 155 California Boulevard, Pasadena
Walgreens • 310 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena (walking distance from Caltech)

In the case you would need to borrow crutches, a wheelchair, or any other orthopedic material, please visit the website of the Convalescent Aid Society.

Free Counselling Services. The Caltech Wellness Services and the Caltech Staff and Faculty Consultation Center offer confidential counseling services free of charge to active faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars and dependents.

EAP is the internal Website at Jet Propulsion Laboratory: it offers assessment, referral and short-term counseling to JPL employees and dependents. Please ask JPL Human resources for more information.

Balance Work and Life. The Caltech WorkLife Program provides general wellness programming and advice.

Fitness. Caltech Athletics offers physical activity programs for both students and scholars, as well as families. JPL has two gym facilities at the lab.