By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
It may be summer vacation for most students, but the St. Joseph Health Department wants to help students with back-to-school immunizations.
Health Educator Stephanie Malita says it's important for kids to get these immunizations for one simple reason- protection.
"It is to protect from diseases that can leave people with debilitating disabilities, can lead to death in some cases," Malita tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
But it's also important to protect those who may not have as strong an immune system
"They could really get sick from it from a variety of illnesses that vaccines protect against," Malita says.
An immunization clinic will be held on June 28th at the Bartlett Center from 3 to 5pm.
Malita says if students don't have the required vaccinations on the first day of school, they must be sent home until they do.
Malita points out back to school time is already a stressful time for students.
"If that is interrupted by them having to come home, especially those little ones that are kindergartners they have really been looking forward to going to kindergarten, going to school for the first time," Malita explains. "And if they suddenly get sent home because they haven't had the boosters they need, that can be really devastating and kind of mar their first day of school experience."
A list of required and recommended vaccinations for back to school can be found on the Missouri Department of Health website.
Malita says nurses from the Health Department will be helpful in giving information on what recommended vaccinations should be gotten.
"Our public health nurses are just a wealth of information about immunizations, about the whys behind getting these immunizations, and they are always happy to take the time to visit with parents about what's best for their child and their family," Malita says.
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