County Plans Free Immunization Clinics for Students

Editor's note: The following information is from a Chester County press release. (Emphasis added to the clinic dates.)

The Chester County Health Department is holding immunization clinics next month for students in all grades who need to receive the next stage of required vaccines.  New Pennsylvania regulations took effect in August 2011 and the law requires all school-aged children to have up-to-date immunizations by April 30, 2012.

The Chester County Health Clinic is located at the county’s Government Services Building, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester.  The immunization clinics will be held April 9 from 2:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.; April 10 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.; April 11 from 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.; and April 13 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.   For more information, call 610-344-6252 or visit www.chesco.org/health.

“When the current school year began, families were given an eight-month provisional period to get their students up-to-date with their vaccinations,” said Margaret Rivello, Director of the Chester County Health Department. “This period is coming to an end, so we are reminding families to make sure school-aged children are immunized, and have set up clinics to help facilitate this.”

An appointment for immunizations is not necessary, but the most recent copy of the student’s vaccination history must be provided at the time of immunization.  Students must also be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Pennsylvania State regulations require children in all grades to receive a second dose of mumps vaccine as well as a second dose of the chicken pox vaccine. They also require students in seventh grade to have one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and one dose of the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). All vaccines also need to be appropriately spaced to be considered valid.

Individuals can also call 877-PA HEALTH (877-724-3258) for additional information.

While the Pennsylvania Department of Health established the new regulations, enforcement is up to individual school districts. The regulations were developed upon recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. To review the regulations, visit www.health.state.pa.us/immunizations.