Health departments across the Kansas City metro are urging parents to get their children’s back-to-school vaccinations done early as the school year approaches. Many departments offer walk-in and extended hours for vaccinations, as well as resources to help people get there, such as free transportation and ride-share passes through Lyft.
Estela Fernandez, the clinical outreach coordinator at Jackson County Public Health, emphasized the importance of getting children vaccinated before the school year begins, as Kansas and Missouri’s childhood vaccination rates have dropped below the federal 95% level required for community protection. One of the main concerns is the increase in measles cases in recent years compared to before the pandemic.
Johnson County’s health department in Olathe is also offering walk-in immunizations, with a focus on providing vaccines free of charge to uninsured and underinsured children, with a $20 administration fee per shot. The Olathe Clinic has two scheduled back-to-school vaccination clinics for students entering 7th and 11th grade for the upcoming school year.
Parents like Tonya Wirfs are taking their children early to get their vaccinations done to avoid any last-minute rush and ensure they are ready for school. For more information about back-to-school vaccinations, clinics, and other resources, parents can visit their local health department’s website.
Source
Photo credit fox4kc.com