Immunizations available at Red Willow County's Health Department

McCOOK, Nebraska -- When students return to school in the fall, it usually means shopping for school supplies, extracurricular activities and cooler weather around the corner. It is also a time for parents to check that their children's immunizations are up-to-date.

"All students returning to school this fall must have up-to-date immunization records," explained Dawn Garcia, RN, MSN, School Nurse for McCook Public Schools. "Immunizations help children remain healthy, which gives them the best chance for success at school," she continued.

The Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services requires that all students from Kindergarten through 12th grade have:

3 doses of DTaP, DTP, DT, Td or Tdap vaccine, one given on or after the 4th birthday

3 doses of Polio vaccine

3 doses of pediatric Hepatitis B vaccine

2 doses of MMR or MMRV vaccine, given after 12 mo. of age & separated by at least one mo.

2 doses of varicella (chicken pox) or MMRV given after 12 mo. of age.**

Or written documentation (including year) of varicella disease from parent, guardian, or health care provider will be accepted. If the child has had varicella disease, they do not need any varicella shots.

Additionally, all seventh graders are required to have 1 dose of Tdap (Tetanus/diphtheria with Pertussis). The Pertussis component helps to protect against whooping cough, which has been on the rise in the United States.

Each school in Nebraska is required to keep the immunization history of the students enrolled on file. Students may be provisionally enrolled in school if they have started the immunizations series and continue the necessary immunizations as rapidly as is medically possible. If the student doesn't continue with the immunization schedule, he or she is to be sent home.

The school district is required by law to report the immunization status of each school to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services yearly. The current level of school immunization is 97.06 percent in Nebraska.

The Red Willow County Health Department holds immunization clinics frequently throughout the fall season to make it easy for parents to ensure their children's immunizations are up-to-date. Contact RWCHD by calling 308-345-1790, 308-345-6130 or toll-free 1-877-250-2057 to schedule an appointment or to verify your child is protected against these diseases. For more information on school-required immunizations, visit http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Documents/6-2012-2013%20School%20RR%20English.pd...