August is considered back-to-school month for many parents in the Castle Country area. They are busy buying school clothes and supplies but tend to overlook immunizations that are required to start school, especially for kindergarten and seventh grade students.
“Now is a really good time during the summer to take your child in and ask for a well-child check and ask your physician what immunizations your child needs. Ideally, we want them all immunized before they all start school,” said Jessie Huff, Southeastern Utah Health Department. On average, kindergarten students will need anywhere from three to four shots, if they are up to date on their vaccines. A seventh-grade student needs specific shots, the booster which is better known as Tdap, Varicella and Meningococcal.
“Well, all parents first of all need to find their child’s individual immunization record and have that available to take with them to the doctor’s appointment so the doctor can see what they have had prior and what they need now,” said Huff. If parents are unable to locate their child’s immunization records they may contact their school district or health department who may have it on file. It is a good idea for parents to always keep a back-up copy with their important papers.
Typically, most health insurances will cover immunizations because they are considered a preventative service. Parents can make arrangements with their family physician to obtain the necessary vaccines or visit the walk-in clinic at the health department Monday through Thursday from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
Carbon School District seventh grade students are scheduled to register on August 9. “We have made arrangements for immunization express to come down and they will be providing the seventh-grade immunizations that are required but they will also be able to do kindergarten shots as well,” said Huff. This service will only be made available at Mont Harmon Middle School.
Parents can learn more about immunization services by visiting http://www.immunize-utah.org/index.html or call Southeastern Utah Health Department at (435) 637-3671