Back to school vaccinations available now

Back-to-school preparations are taking place across the county and La Paz County Health Department are reminding parents about a very important item to add to the list: vaccinations. The health department will be offering back-to-school vaccinations every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at 1112 Joshua Ave, Suite 206 in Parker.

“We usually get a rush right before school starts and that can cause a longer wait,” said Director of Nursing, Diana Grazier. “We want to remind parents that we can start vaccinating now and cut down on the amount of time they might have to wait.”

No appointment is needed but parents should bring their child’s shot record and insurance card if they have insurance that covers vaccinations. Non-custodial parents, grandparents, and relatives who do not have legal guardianship must bring a note from the parent or legal guardian in order for the child to receive vaccination.

Arizona State Law requires that a child, upon entering school, have a record of immunizations against preventable childhood diseases. Preschool students must be current with the DTap/DTP/DT, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Varicella (Chicken pox) vaccines. They must also be current with Hepatitis A and Hib immunizations. Kindergarten students must have 4-5 doses of DTap/DTP/DT, 4 doses of Polio (IPV), 2 doses of MMR, 3 doses of Hepatitis B and 1 dose of Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccines. 6th, 7th, or 8th grade students or students who are 11 years or older are required to have the above immunizations (incoming kindergarten) and also one dose of the Meningococcal Vaccine (MV), two doses of the Varicella vaccine (if the first dose was given at age 13 or later) and 1 dose of the Tdap vaccine if 5 or more years have passed since their last DTap/DTP/DT or Td.

Other clinic locations include Ehrenberg Elementary on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Quartzsite Fire Department on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m., and Salome Substation building near the Fire Department, first Thursday of the month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m.

For more information about vaccinations schedules and clinic times, visit lpchd.com/nursing.