The
El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Nursing is
reminding parents to plan now for the coming school year by ensuring their
child is up-to-date on required immunizations. For those families without a
health care provider, Public Health is now offering low-cost back-to-school
immunizations. Public Health can provide all childhood vaccinations required for
school entry, as well as other vaccinations recommended to keep children
healthy.
Parents
who wish to have their child vaccinated through a scheduled appointment at
Public Health may call the Public Health Clinic at (530) 621-6100 in
Placerville or (530) 573-3155 in South Lake Tahoe. Vaccinations are charged at
cost for those who have private insurance. Children on Medi-Cal, or who are
uninsured, are eligible for Public Health’s low-cost immunization services; a
$10 administration fee is charged per shot, though no child will be refused a
vaccination due to inability to pay.
El
Dorado County Public Health Nursing is also conducting a series of free, walk-in
vaccination clinics for uninsured children or those on Medi-Cal at designated
locations in El Dorado County. For dates and locations of the free walk-in
vaccination clinics, visit www.edcgov.us/publichealth
or call the Public Health Clinic. Parents should bring their child’s
immunization record.
Schools and child care facilities must verify
each child's immunization record to ensure
all required shots are completed before entry to child care, kindergarten and 7th grade.
Students must receive all vaccines according to age and grade requirements. For more information about immunizations
required for child care and grades K – 12, please see http://www.shotsforschool.org/.
Under California Senate Bill 277, passed last
year, personal belief exemptions to immunizations, including religious belief
exemptions, are no longer accepted when children enter child care or schools in
California. Personal belief exemptions on file for a child already attending
child care or school will remain valid until the child reaches the next
immunization checkpoint at kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten)
or 7th grade. Most families will not be affected by SB 277 because their
children have received all required vaccinations. Beginning this school year:
- Documentation of
required immunizations must be submitted to the school before the
student is allowed to attend class.
- Parents/guardians of
Medically Exempt students must submit a Medical Exemption letter from a
licensed physician (M.D. or D.O.) and provide documentation of
immunizations that have been received.
For more information about SB 277, please see http://www.shotsforschool.org/laws/sb277faq/.
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