Get Healthy Carson City: Back-to-school immunizations at Health Department

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.

It may still feel like summer, but the start of school is just around the corner. The first day of school in Lyon County and Douglas County is Aug. 15. School starts in Carson City a week later, on Aug. 22. That’s just a month away! While you’re out taking care of all of your child’s back-to-school needs, shopping for school clothes and supplies, don’t forget students may have another requirement before they head back to class: immunizations. Carson City Health and Human Services wants to remind parents being up-to-date with required vaccinations is a necessity for starting school this fall. Children will not be permitted to start school if they’re not vaccinated.

Now is the perfect time to get your children vaccinated, because Carson City Health and Human Services is offering required back-to school immunizations on a walk-in basis every weekday beginning Aug. 8. In order to help parents beat the back-to-school rush and to accommodate all the children who need to be vaccinated, the Health Department will once again offer a “Back to School” immunization program with additional immunization hours for school children. Beginning Monday, Aug. 8, the clinic at 900 E. Long St. will be offering required back-to-school immunizations from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. every weekday. These special extended hours will be in place through Monday, Aug. 22, which will be the first day of school in Carson City.

Vaccinations are required for all students enrolled in Carson City Schools, unless the student has applied for a medical or religious exemption through the school district.

“All children in kindergarten, 7th grade and those new to the school district of any age must be fully vaccinated prior to being enrolled in school. CCHHS’ Back to School Vaccination Days are a perfect opportunity for parents to get their children fully immunized so that they do not have to miss any school days due to the lack of up-to-date vaccinations,” said Roni Galas, Clinical Services Manager for Carson City Health and Human Services.

Children will not be permitted to start school if they’re not fully vaccinated. However, aside from being a requirement, vaccinations are a good idea because they protect not only the child who has been immunized, but also other children with health concerns that make them unable to get shots themselves. This “community” approach to vaccination helps keep all kids healthy and safe from diseases like measles, mumps, chicken pox and whooping cough.

Clinic staff would like to remind parents to please bring the child’s immunization record with them when they come for vaccinations. Regular fees will apply during this event. Carson City Health and Human Services bills most insurances. Please visit www.gethealthycarsoncity.org/clinic to see a list of accepted insurances and payment methods.

Regular Thursday immunization clinic hours will still take place for clients who need other immunizations besides those required for school. The regular immunization hours are 8:30−11:30 a.m. and 1−4:30 p.m. every Thursday. While flu vaccines are not yet available, Carson City Health and Human Services will begin offering them in the fall. Note: FluMist will not be available due to changes in recommendations from the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

For more information about other Health Department services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org or visit us at www.facebook.com/cchhs.