CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It’s time for kids to head back to school and that means they must be caught up on their vaccines. It is state law.
The Kanawha-Charleston Health Department is holding an immunization clinic Wednesday through Friday and again on Monday. The goal, according to Candace Nunley the practice manager with the health department, is to make sure kids have every vaccine necessary so they don’t have to miss any school.
“Our ultimate goal is to get all kids vaccinated for school because we want to get them all protected,” she explained.
West Virginia law requires children entering Kindergarten to have T-DAP, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella and Hepatitis B vaccinations. There are no exceptions to the rule. Students entering seventh grade need another dose of T-DAP and the vaccine for meningitis. Those same vaccines are needed for twelfth graders.
Nunley said considering how easily and quickly viruses can spread throughout a school, it’s important a child has the protection they need.
“If we can protect them with vaccinations that’s the best thing we can do as providers and parents,” according to Nunley.
However, that doesn’t mean kids are going to like it, especially the younger children.
“Just the anticipation of a needle going in anyone’s arm, you’re fearful of that. Once it goes in and they’re done, they’re OK,” said Nunley.
The clinic takes most insurance. As for those who don’t have insurance, Nunley stressed there are programs that parents can sign up for to help pay for those costs. For more information log on to kchdwv.org.