Get Healthy Carson City: Time flies: Get in before the rush

While we may be experiencing the lazy days of summer, school starts again in a little more than four weeks. Before the start of the school year, it is very important to make sure that your child is up to date on their vaccines. Certain vaccines are required in Nevada for kids in daycares, public or private schools, and Nevada universities.

Starting a couple of years ago, high school seniors must receive the meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) before the start of the school year. The MenACWY vaccine is an immunization against meningitis, a disease that causes an infection of and swelling in the lining of the brain and spinal cord. This infection can lead to severe disabilities in those affected. For most students, this means a booster dose as they likely received a first dose of MenACWY at ages 11-12. MenACWY is not a live vaccine and cannot cause infection.

Vaccines keep us healthy and protect us from life-threatening diseases that can make kids of all ages very, very sick. No child should suffer from a preventable illness, and keeping your family healthy is important. The Nevada Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is available for children who may not have insurance to cover the cost of vaccines. There is no charge for the cost of the vaccines in this program, only an administration fee. Under the VFC program, qualified children up to 18 years of age cannot be turned away for their inability to pay. If you meet one of the following requirements, your child is eligible for the VFC Program:

• Medicaid eligible – A child who is eligible for or enrolled in the Medicaid program.

• Uninsured – A child who has no health insurance coverage.

• American Indian or Alaska Native – As defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)

• Underinsured – A child has health insurance, but the insurance does not cover vaccines or does not cover certain vaccines.

Carson City Health and Human Services is open for all your vaccine needs. The clinic is open every Monday by appointment and every Thursday for walk-in vaccines. Vaccine hours will also be extended the week before school starts by providing appointments and walk-in availability with times to be announced on social media, our website, and through the newspaper soon. You may also call 775-887-2195 to see about beating the back-to-school rush. For those with health insurance, the health department takes most private and state insurance, including Medicaid.

To find out if your child is due for vaccines, use the tool below or register for Nevada’s Immunization Portal, WebIZ, at izrecord.nv.gov. You can look up your child’s records from the comfort of your own home! Or you can call or email the WebIZ Help Desk at 775-684-5954; IZIt@nv.health.gov or Immunize Nevada at 775-624-7117; info@immunizenevada.org.