Mansfield, OH — The Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department Public Health Clinic has scheduled extra clinics for school immunizations for ages 11 to 18 for August 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. and August 23 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Both clinics will be held in the Corley Room (lower level, back parking lot) at the Health Department, 555 Lexington Avenue, Mansfield.
The Health Department Clinic also has its regular fourth Monday evening walk-in hours available for immunizations on Monday, August 26, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Some students will need additional shots to begin the school year:
• Students entering the seventh grade are required to have an up-to-date “Tdap” vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, or Tetanus/Diphtheria). This vaccine is commonly given to stop “whooping cough.”
• Vaccine for chickenpox should be given at age 11 to 12 if the series was not completed earlier.
• Menactra (meningitis vaccine) is also recommended for ages 11 to 18 and may be required for admittance to college.
• HPV vaccine is highly recommended at this age along with the Hepatitis A vaccine.
The following documents are needed for children immunizations:
• Your child’s shot record
• Picture ID for parent or guardian
• Anthem, Medical Mutual, Medicaid or Managed Care Cards
All other times for immunizations or “back to school” shots are by appointment only. Call 419-774-4700 to schedule shots at the Public Health Clinic.
Neighborhood Immunization Clinic sites also do immunization vaccine shots for all ages. For Neighborhood Immunization Clinic dates, times and locations call the hotline at 419-774-8115 or visit www.richlandhealth.org
While immunizations have significantly reduced the incidence of many serious infectious diseases, vaccination rates for some diseases are not meeting national public health goals. Immunizations are not just for children. They are needed throughout our lifetime. Vaccines are an important step in protecting against serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases.
For questions about vaccines or the immunization program at the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department call the Public Health Clinic at 419-774-4700.