Page County Health Department holding vaccination clinic Aug. 22
~ Press release provided by Virginia Department of Health, Lord Fairfax Health District
LURAY, Aug. 6 — Setting your kids up for success this school year means making sure they have all the tools they need, including vaccines to protect against preventable diseases such as meningitis, measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and others. The Page County Health Department is making it easy to get these required immunizations at a clinic the Friday before school starts.
Virginia schools require immunizations for entry into kindergarten, seventh grade, and 12th grade.
Keeping children up to date on vaccinations can reduce severe illnesses, and unnecessary absences from school and work, saving your family time and money.
“As students prepare to return to the classroom, ensuring up-to-date immunizations is a crucial step in protecting their health and the wellbeing of our entire community,” said Tara Blackley, Health Director for the Lord Fairfax Health District. “Vaccinations help prevent the spread of contagious diseases, keeping schools safe and enabling children to focus on learning without interruption. We urge all families to prioritize back-to-school immunizations — it’s a simple, effective way to start the year strong and healthy.”
Vaccines are safe and effective and are your child’s best defense against infectious disease. Measles is a recent example. The highly contagious disease that was declared eliminated in the year 2000 is experiencing a surge in the U.S. with more than 1,200 cases reported so far this year, including three cases in Virginia.
“Protecting your child’s health starts with making sure they’re up to date on their vaccines. We encourage parents to make an appointment with their local healthcare provider, pharmacy or visit the health department to get vaccinated before school begins,” said Blackley. “Immunizations are a safe and effective way to keep your child, and our community, healthy throughout the school year.”
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages parents to talk with their child’s health care provider about recommended vaccinations. Vaccines are available through your pediatrician, pharmacies, and all local health departments. You will want to check in advance to see if appointments may be necessary.
The Page County Health Department will offer school-required immunizations free of charge during a special Back-To-School vaccination clinic for 7th and 12th graders on Friday, Aug. 22 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., or by appointment during regular clinic hours — Tuesdays, 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.
Please be sure to bring a copy of your child’s vaccination record. If you don’t have it, you can request the record here. If you have health insurance, please also bring your insurance card.
Children who are uninsured can still be vaccinated at low or no cost through the Virginia Vaccines for Children (VVFC) program, which offers free vaccines to eligible children. You can locate a VVFC provider by simply entering your zip code on the VDH website.
VDH encourages parents to make an appointment as soon as possible to save the stress of trying to find one last minute.
For more information, please contact
Page County Health Department at 540-743-6528.
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