Health department urges parents to keep shots up to date

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Red Willow County Health Department wants to remind parents that children entering kindergarten, going into seventh grade, and transfer students from out of state are required to receive booster doses of age appropriate vaccines.

In addition, many colleges require entering students to have at least 1 dose of Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine.

The Red Willow County Health Department has been providing immunizations to children and adults in Red Willow County and the surrounding areas for nearly 40 years. Its immunization team, comprising Pam Klug, R.N., Peggy Everitt, R.N., Pat Powers, and Terri Stevens each have an average of 20 years experience working with immunizations.

Timing and spacing of vaccine doses are two of the most important issues in achieving optimal results. Good record keeping, maintaining careful patient histories, and adherence to recommended schedules is part of why the health department maintains consistently high immunization rates in the state of Nebraska.

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) is the vaccine required for all seventh graders prior to the beginning of the school year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pertussis (or whooping cough), is a respiratory infection that can cause severe coughing or trouble breathing. Cases of whooping cough are on the rise and there is currently a nationwide push for people of all ages to receive a booster dose.

Other vaccines available at the office, which are recommended by the CDC, but not required for school enrollment include Hepatitis A which is recommended for everyone 12 months of age and up; Gardasil, (human papillomavirus), which is routinely recommended for girls 9-26 years of age and boys 9-21 years; and Meningococcal (MCV4) which is recommended for adolescents 11 -- 18 years of age.

It is recommended that parents call early to schedule appointments for their children's immunizations as the spring and summer clinics fill up quickly. The Red Willow Co. Health Department, (located in the Ag Complex at the fairgrounds in McCook), holds immunization clinics all day on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month and most Wednesday afternoons. Additional clinics are available throughout the year as the need arises.

To schedule an appointment, or to find out if your child is up-to-date on their vaccines and what shots they might need, please stop by or call our office at (308) 345-1790 or (877) 250-2057.