Health Dept. offers low-cost back-to-school immunizations

DEM Blogger

July 15, 2015

As Fayette County students prepare to head back to school, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department is making sure they have plenty of opportunities to get their required vaccinations.

To beat the back-to-school rush, the health department will be offering low-cost immunizations by appointment 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Thursday from July 20 through Aug. 20 at the Public Health Clinic at 650 Newtown Pike. To schedule an appointment or for more information about the immunizations, please call (859) 288-2483.

Participants must live in Fayette County, be 18 years or younger and be uninsured or underinsured. Medicaid is accepted. Immunization records must be brought to the appointment, and physicals will not be provided.

“Getting children all the required vaccines is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children’s health – and that of classmates and the community,” said Kevin Hall, LFCHD spokesman. “Childhood vaccines protect against a number of serious diseases, including polio, measles and whooping cough. August is also National Immunization Awareness Month, so there’s no better time to become educated about the important role vaccinations play in public health.”

When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk and can spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.

School-age children need vaccines. Fayette County students who are new to the school district or are entering kindergarten are required to bring a Kentucky immunization certificate in order to enroll. Sixth-grade students are also required to have certain boosters and must bring an up-to-date immunization certificate. Please call the health department’s school health division at (859) 288-2314 for more information.

For more information, follow the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, which is now nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, on Twitter at twitter.com/LFCHD or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LFCHD.