First of 5 free immunization clinics for SPS students begins today

School must have records of immunizations on file before child can begin classes

July 30, 2012|By Dustin Hodges, KY3 News | dhodges@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo - Missouri Law requires students starting school to be vaccinated for things like tetanus, and whooping cough; the schools have to keep those vaccination records on file.

The first of five free immunization clinics for Springfield Public School Students starts at 9 am Monday at Central High School. The school sent out letters to the parents of 1750 kids who still needed to have some of their required vaccines done before school starts.

Mondays free immunization clinic is from 9 to 12:30; parents need to call 523-1632 and make an appointment. They also need to bring the letter that Springfield Public Schools sent out as well as a signed consent form for the child.

Before starting Kindergarden, kids have to be vaccinated for diptheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and 2 shots for varicella, or chicken pox, unless they've already had the chicken pox in which case they need a doctor's note saying when they had it.

School officials also want to remind parents that kids need a booster shot for most of those diseases before starting 8th grade. "There's a big bunch that's due before they enter school and then in 8th grade there's another, the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis is due so those are the main times, before school entry for the first time and then those 8th graders," says Jean Grabeel, Health Services Coordinator with Springfield Public Schools.

"It is required for school so that children can pick up their schedules on the first day of school and not have to be left out and kindergardeners, especially their first day of school, we don't want it to be ruined because they don't have their vaccine record so even if they have gotten their vaccines, it's important to get that record into the school system," says Melissa Penkalski, a pediatric nurse practitioner with Jordan Valley Health Center.

The second of five clinics will be held Tuesday at Glendale High School, the third will be Wednesday at Parkview High School.

Here's the complete list of dates for the free immunization clinics; all clinics are from 9 am to 12:30 pm:

1. Monday, July 30 at Central High School

2. Tuesday, July 31 at Glendale High School

3. Wednesday August, 1, Parkview High School

4. Monday, August 6, at Kickapoo High School

5. Tuesday, August 7, at Hillcrest High School

Some kids might be getting as many as six immunizations at a time, but health officials say the only side effect is a little soreness where they stick you with the needle.

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