San Benito County public health officials have been encouraging students to get their immunizations before they head back to school, where it is easy for peers to swap germs over shared playground structures, desks and books.
In San Benito County, about 95 percent of students have received their vaccinations. The numbers are slightly above the state’s 90 percent vaccination rate, but at least 5 percent of the county’s students are still missing at least one shot.
“Currently, California’s whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic continues to be a threat,” said Lynn Mello, director of nursing for San Benito County Public Health Services. “As families make plans for heading back to school, they should also make sure their children all have their immunizations required for childcare or school. That includes an adolescent whooping cough booster (Tdap) for students entering 7th grade.”
Schools are required to verify that students have all the required vaccines before pupils enter kindergarten and seventh grade.
If a child does not have health insurance or is only partially insured, a doctor or local health department can provide information about the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free or low-cost immunizations. Public Health Services is also offering expanded immunization clinics during August, which is National Immunization Awareness Month.
To learn more about the immunization required for childcare or school, visit shotsforschool.org.
