Metro Health, the University Health System and the Northside Independent School District plan events in the coming weeks before school starts to maximize opportunities for families to have access to services. The goal is to prevent potentially life-threatening diseases like whooping cough, measles and meningitis.
There will be clinics throughout the city and a major immunization event on Aug. 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Freeman Coliseum. NISD officials said they plan to enforce a "no shots, no school" rule, which means that children without up-to-date shot records will not be allowed to attend class.
"It is one of the big jobs that our school nurses have," Shirley Schreiber, NISD director of health services, said of making sure that students are immunized. "So that it can be a safe and healthy environment."
New state-mandated immunizations will be required, especially for those children entering kindergarten or seventh grade.
Parents are also reminded to bring their child's most current shot record and insurance card when they their child immunized. No fees will be charged for children enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. For children with private health insurance, fees will be based on level of benefits.
Health officials said the new school year will pose an even bigger challenge due to the H1N1 flu virus. They said the virus continues to affect the community and expect a significant number of cases when school begins.
Kids will also need to be vaccinated against the virus when it comes available, probably in late October.
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น