St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2011

SCC HEALTH OFFERS BACK-TO-SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS
Department Arranges “Walk-In Days” For St. Charles County School Districts

St. Charles County, Missouri – While checking off your back-to-school shopping list, it’s also important to make certain your children are up-to-date on the immunizations required for school attendance.  To help parents meet these requirements, the St. Charles County Division of Public Health’s Immunization Clinic will schedule vaccinations on an appointment basis or offer “Walk-In Days” for students in various county public school districts.

“As students gear up for the new school year, we understand that a current immunization record is not always a priority, and we schedule these immunization periods to assist efforts that ensure protection for our children,” said Gil Copley, director of the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment.  “While no one looks forward to an injection, the benefits of diminishing the spread of serious vaccine-preventable diseases far outweigh the mild discomfort.  We offer these vaccines to school-age children as an important step in the process that keeps kids healthy and ready to learn.”

Vaccinations are offered on an appointment basis at the health department facility at 1650 Boone's Lick Road in St. Charles every weekday except Thursday.  Hours are 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. — with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays (open until 7 p.m. on July 14 and Aug. 9).  For questions or to schedule an appointment, please call 636-949-1857.   Families with health insurance are encouraged to obtain immunizations from their health care provider.

In addition to these scheduled appointments, the Immunization Clinic will offer “Walk-In Days” that are open to students from specific districts.  The dates are:

• Francis Howell School District – Monday, Aug. 1 (8:30 to 11 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.)
• Orchard Farm School District – Wednesday, Aug. 3 (8:30 to 11 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.)
• Wentzville School District – Tuesday, Aug. 9 (8:30 to 11 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.)
• Fort Zumwalt School District – Friday, Aug. 12 (8:30 to 11 a.m. or 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.)

The state of Missouri requires all children to be up-to-date on required immunizations.  A complete list of Missouri’s vaccination requirements is available at http://www.scchealth.org/docs/ph/ph_docs/phphs/vacform.html.  Students who have recently moved into St. Charles County should check with the health department to find out if their shots are current.  Parents with college-age children should review the school’s specific immunization requirements.

Vaccinations provided by the St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment are offered in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

# # #

[GO BACK]