Even though the traditional school year has just ended, school officials are taking this opportunity to remind parents that students who will be entering 7th grade next school year are required to have a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in order to enroll in the fall.
The vaccine is recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Nevada added the vaccine as a requirement for school attendance in 2008.
"I know it seems like the next school year is a long way off, but parents are better off taking care of this now rather than waiting until August," said Dana Balchunas, Director of Student Health Services for the Washoe County School District. "At that point," she said, "doctors' offices get busy, appointments are hard to schedule and the lines at the health department get long."
"We checked the numbers last week, and 2,800 students who need the vaccine still had not received it," Balchunas added. "If they all wait until the last minute there is a strong possibility that they will not be able to get the shot and not be able to enroll and that's why we are pushing this now," she said.
The following community health providers offer immunizations:
- Your private physician: Most physicians have vaccines available for their established clients.
- Health Access Washoe County (HAWC): 329-6300, 1055 S. Wells Ave, Reno
- Please call for an appointment
- All immunizations for all ages available (call to see if Varicella is available)
- Orvis Nursing Center: 327-5000, 401 W. 2nd Street, Suite 104, Reno
- Immunizations by appointment only
- All immunizations for all ages available
- St. Mary's Immunization Program: 770-7100, 343 Elm Street, Suite 203, Reno
- Please call for an appointment
- All immunization for all ages available.
- Washoe County Health District: 1001 E. Ninth St., Bldg B, Reno
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
- Please call 328-2402 for an appointment
- All immunizations for all ages available
About Washoe County School District: The Washoe County School District includes the Reno/Sparks metropolitan area, Incline Village, Gerlach, Empire and Wadsworth, Nevada. The District provides each of its 63,000 students with a superior education in a safe and challenging environment and is committed to graduate every child career and college ready. For more information visit: www.washoecountyschools.org. Follow us on Twitter at WCSDTweet.
