Back to school immunizations clinics

While the COVID vaccine has been a prominent talking point the past few months, there are other vaccinations that your child may need before heading back to school.

According to the District 5 Southwest Oklahoma County Health Departments, routine childhood vaccinations saw a drastic decrease around the first few months of the pandemic.

This in turn has led public health experts to believe that many children and adolescents may be behind on their shots.

Now, the local health departments will be holding multiple back-to-school immunization clinics throughout ten counties in Southwest Oklahoma.

“Children can get all immunizations needed to attend school starting next month in one place. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for anyone age 12 and older,” a report by the District 5 County Health Departments said. “No need for an appointment; walk-ins are welcome. Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age, bring a valid ID, and insurance, if applicable.”

To attend child care or school in Oklahoma, children two months or older must have an up-to-date immunization record or file for an exemption.

The past few months have seen some apprehension to the COVID vaccine, which could have led some parents to be hesitant to certain required vaccines for their students, a thought echoed by Cordell Schools Superintendent Brad Overton.

“Student vaccines are very important to the safety and well-being of school-age children, Oklahoma State law requires that students receive certain vaccines in order to attend school,” Overton said. “I am afraid that many families are worried about vaccines due to some perceived issues with the COVID vaccine.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children born between 1994 and 2018, vaccination will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 deaths over their lifetimes.

“Vaccination can protect against 14 serious childhood diseases, including measles, influenza (flu), tetanus, polio, and whooping cough (pertussis),” District 5 Health Planner Debra Johnson said. “But vaccines do not work unless they are used.”

Some examples of required vaccines are those that prevent polio, hepatitis, chickenpox, measles, and more. A guide to immunization requirements in Oklahoma for the next school year can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Health website.

Washita County will have a Back to School Immunization event at Burns Flat Public Schools on Thursday, August 5 from 5-7 p.m. with other events being held around Southwest Oklahoma.

These clinics will not require an appointment and welcome walk-ins. Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age, and remember to bring a valid ID, and insurance, if applicable.

COVID vaccines will be available at these clinics as well for those 12 and older, however, it is not a required vaccine.

District 5 County Health Departments have said, “additional clinics may be added, so please check with your local health department.”

“Vaccinations are not hard to get, I would encourage parents to consider attending the August 5th vaccination clinic at Burns Flat Schools,” Overton said. “The clinic would be a good opportunity to get your child vaccinated as the start of the school year approaches.”