| Health dept. offers free shots to 7th graders |
|
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 12:02 pm
|
The Weakley County Health Department will be offering special clinics to provide free immunizations to seventh graders during the month of August.
All children entering the seventh grade this fall must submit proof of a booster dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine; and confirm either chickenpox immunity through the disease or receipt of two doses of the varicella vaccine.
For the first time in a decade, Tennessee has adopted new childhood immunization requirements to better protect children from serious diseases, especially those that can spread easily in a school setting.
“Vaccinations have all but eliminated the threat of diseases like mumps and measles. Unfortunately, we still see Tennessee children suffer and die unnecessarily when they are not properly immunized,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN.
“These new requirements assure that children have the best protection from serious illnesses that are easily passed from person to person in schools.”
“The required vaccines are already recommended for all children by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics, so most young children have already received them,” said Kelly Moore, MD, medical director of the state immunization program. “Parents should talk with their child’s health care provider to be sure they have had everything they need.
Because all new seventh graders will need a new Immunization Certificate, public schools are allowing a one-time grace period of Oct. 1 to submit the new form, according to the State Department of Education.
If a child has already received the required vaccines for seventh grade, a new Immunization Certificate must be provided to the child’s school.
“With all the activity that surrounds the starting of a new school year, the Weakley County Health Department would like to help parents get the required immunizations and certificate.
“That is why we will be open late each Thursday evening during the month of August to provide the Tdap and varicella vaccine free of charge for those children entering seventh grade,” said Tim James, director of the Weakley County Health Department.
It is also recommended that parents bring a current shot record for their child to the Health Department.
The clinics will be offered on Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26 from 3:30 – 6 p.m.
Please call the Weakley County Health Department at 731-364-2210 to make an appointment.
WCP 7.27.10
|
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
