SJSD encourages immunizations before classes start
By Kendra Simpson
As families get ready to go back to school, the St. Joseph School District is urging students to get immunizations before the semester starts.
Students must be up to date on all required vaccines and immunizations by the first day of school, Aug. 21, or they will be excluded from classes.
“We are really working hard on making sure we have good attendance. We’ve raised our graduation rates. We’re doing well with improving scores, and an education is the best gift you can give your child,” said Tammy Smith-Hinchey, SJSD coordinator of health services. “We just really encourage you to call your health care provider as soon as you can. We don’t want to have to send anyone home.”
The start of school coincides with National Immunization Awareness Month. This is because children going back to school, especially kindergarteners, are more likely to be exposed to childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps and rubella.
“It’s just kind of a reminder to all parents and families that we want to keep your children safe and healthy and the immunization is the best way to do that,” Smith-Hinchey said.
Vaccines such as Tdap and meningococcal conjugate are only required for students in eighth through 12th grade, whereas vaccines like hepatitis B and varicella are required for every student, regardless of age, and must be administered more than once. A complete list of required vaccines can be found on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services‘ website.
“The grades that we’re going to concentrate on are incoming kindergartners, incoming eighth graders and incoming seniors, and then if you’re new to Missouri, you may need to update your vaccines, because each state kind of has different requirements,” Smith-Hinchey said. “And so, Missouri may require something different than another state that you’ve previously lived. So it’s always good to check in with the health care provider or the health department just to make sure that you have the right vaccines for the state of Missouri.”
The St. Joseph Health Department offers the required immunizations for children from birth to 18 years old and accepts many insurance plans as well as Medicaid. The clinic offers immunizations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Parents must bring a copy of the most recent immunization records and an insurance card. If unsure what vaccines a child needs, parents can call the SJSD enrollment center at (816) 671-4115.
“We just want to promote healthy living in our community,” Smith-Hinchey said. “We want it to be a great place to live and for kids to have a great time going to school here.”
