It’s vaccine time for many students as school looms
With the new school year just around the corner, parents often are faced with a daunting list of things to do to help their children get ready to go back to the classroom.
From making sure kids are vaccinated to gathering supplies, there are plenty of stops to make.
For children who need updated or new vaccines for the school year, the Southern Nevada Health District offers immunization clinics.
“Depending on the grade you’re going in, you are required to have certain vaccinations,” said JoAnn Rupiper, a community health nurse supervisor with the health district.
For kindergarten, parents need to make sure children have had their measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, shot.
Seventh-graders are required to have the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis shot, commonly known as TDAP.
The health district is having a back-to-school immunization clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at its main campus, 330 S. Valley View Blvd.
“But there is no need to wait,” Rupiper said. “You can come in now. The closer we get to school, the busier we get.”
At the health district, vaccines cost $20 per person for one vaccine and $6 for an additional vaccine.
“Vaccines should be covered by health insurance,” Rupiper said.
Rupiper also encourages parents to take a look at their children’s health records before coming into the clinic. For additional information, call 702-759-0850.
Some pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens also offer vaccinations.
Cox Communications plans Back-to-School Fairs across the valley, with events scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Downtown Summerlin, 2025 Festival Plaza Drive; Aug. 8 at the Meadows mall, 4300 Meadows Lane; Aug. 15 at the Boulevard Mall, 3528 S. Maryland Parkway; and Aug. 22 at the Galleria at Sunset mall, 1301 W. Sunset Road in Henderson.
In addition to providing low-cost immunizations through First Med Health and Wellness Center and Immunize Nevada, the event will feature representatives from the Clark County School District along with community agencies and organizations. Further details are available at www.coxknowledgecollege.com.
It’s not just vaccines that youngsters need to get ready for the school year.
If students plan to participate in a sport or a club, they might need to get a physical.
“Parents can also call to set up an appointment for our healthy kids clinic,” Rupiper said.
It costs $25 for sports physicals. Appointments can be made at 702-759-0896.
“The same with those, the closer we get to the school year, the busier we get,” she adds. “It’s a good idea to come in now.”
In addition to getting ready for school, there are supplies essential for students to have during the school year.
A variety of places are having back-to-school fairs, some of which offer free school supplies and information.
The city of Las Vegas has scheduled several events. For instance, in Ward 6, a community fair is scheduled for 6:30 Aug. 7 at Centennial Hills Park, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive. Free supplies and binders will be given out until all are distributed. The event also includes a balloon artist, face painters and a jump house.
In Ward 1, the Magic of Going Back to School Community Fair is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at West Charleston Lions/Essex Park, 600 Essex Drive. Free school supplies will be given away to children ages 5 to 12 years old.
The Ward 4 event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at Durango Hills Community Center/YMCA, 3521 N. Durango Drive, with supplies and backpacks. And the Ward 5 fair runs from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 22 at Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave, with supplies and backpacks, plus games and entertainment.
Contact reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5201. Follow @mjlyle on Twitter.
