Clinics include free school supplies, haircuts
Greene County public health is offering evening immunization clinics on Wednesday, Aug. 1, and Wednesday, Aug. 8, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm for students still needing required school vaccinations.
In addition to immunizations, public health will offer dental screenings, lead screenings and free haircuts. Parents will also be able to sign their children up to receive a free backpack filled with school supplies. “We’re expanding our back to school clinics to include more than immunizations,” said public health director Becky Wolf. “This is a great one-stop opportunity for families to get their kids ready for the new school year.”
While these back to school evening clinics are open to children of all ages, they are especially for incoming kindergarteners, 7th graders and 12th graders – age groups that have required immunizations for school.
Kindergarteners are required to have Dtap, Polio, MMR and Varicella vaccinations. Seventh graders are required to have Tdap and meningitis vaccinations, and are recommended to be vaccinated for HPV and Hepatitis A, if they haven’t already been. Twelfth graders are required to be vaccinated for meningitis, and it is recommended that they also be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, HPV, Meningitis B and Varicella, if they haven’t already been.
Last year, the state of Iowa began requiring a one-time dose of meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccine on or after 10 years of age for students in grades 7 and above, if born after Sept. 15, 2004. For students in 12th grade, two doses of meningococcal (A, C, W, Y) vaccine are required with one dose received on or after 16 years of age, if born after Sept. 15, 1999, or one dose if received when students are 16 years of age or older.
Persons who want more information can contact the Greene County public health department at 515-386-3228.
