St. Charles County Department of Community
Health & The Environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2005

CONTACT:
Nancy Duncan, Director, Division of Public Health                                                                             636-949-7407
Julie Burkemper, Public Information Officer                                                                                      636-949-7408

Back To School Immunizations
County Health Department Reminds Parents To Keep Children Up To Date On Immunizatons

St. Charles County St. Charles County Department of Community Health and the Environment reminds all parents to schedule back-to-school immunizations as children prepare to return to school this fall. Families with health insurance are encouraged to obtain necessary vaccinations from their private health care provider; however, required immunizations are available at the St. Charles County Division of Public Health in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Health.

According to Gil Copley, the Director of the Department of Community Health and the Environment, disease prevention is the key to public health. “While no one looks forward to vaccine injections, the benefits of preventing serious vaccine-preventable diseases far outweigh the mild discomfort of the shot and low risk of side effects. Immunizations are an important step to keeping kids healthy and ready to learn,” Copley said.

The state of Missouri requires that all children be up-to-date on required immunizations. Older school children may require Hepatitis B or a tetanus booster. A complete list of vaccination requirements is available online at www.scchealth.org or by calling the Division of Public Health at 636-949-7400. Children who have recently moved into Missouri should check with the health department to find out if their shots are up-to-date. Parents with children heading off to college should check with the school for their specific immunization requirements. Meningitis vaccine is recommended, but is not available at the Division of Public Health office.

Immunizations are offered at the St. Charles County facility at 1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles every weekday except Thursday. Office hours are 8:30am to 11:00 am and from 1:30pm until 4:00pm. The facility has extended hours until 5:30pm on Tuesdays and until 7:00pm on the second Tuesday of every month. Immunizations are also offered each month at the O’Fallon VFW, 412 Veterans Memorial Parkway on the second Thursday of every month from 9:00am to 10:30am. Future plans to offer immunization services in the Wentzville area are pending.

For more information please call the St. Charles County Division of Public Health at 636-949-7400 or online at www.scchealth.org.

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