The City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department encourages parents and family members of school-age children to get their back to school immunizations now and not delay.
Missouri state law requires school districts to have satisfactory evidence on file indicating that students have been immunized or exempted from obtaining immunization in accordance with the laws of Missouri. Students without this documentation on file will not be allowed to attend school.
“Immunizations are a great tool to keep our students healthy throughout the school year, because any missed days impact their ability to learn,” said Carol Washington, school nurse coordinator for the Kansas City, Mo., School District.
Parents and guardians who bring their children to the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic will need to present a copy of their child’s shot records or a letter from the child’s school stating what shots are needed. If the child has previously had shots at the Health Department, parents and guardians may get a copy of the shot record when they register at the event.
“Elementary school students in the Kansas City, Mo., School District who get their immunizations and are present on the first day of classes will receive a backpack filled with school supplies provided by Heart to Heart International and other community partners,” said Washington.
Immunizations at the Health Department are free for children who have no insurance, who have limited insurance that does not cover immunization, or who are eligible for Medicaid’s Vaccine For Children program.
The Immunization Clinic is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., and on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
For more information on childhood immunizations, call the Health Department at 816-513-6108 or visit our website at www.kcmo.org/health.
