FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 16, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Killian, (828) 695-6637, ekillian@catawbacountync.gov
CHILD WELL-VISITS, SCHOOL VACCINATIONS NEEDED FOR SOME STUDENTS
HICKORY – It’s now mid-August and children will be headed back to classrooms across Catawba County later this month. One way to ensure they are healthy and ready to return is through routine vaccinations and health assessments. North Carolina requires vaccinations for children and teens entering Kindergarten, 7th and 12th grade. Rising kindergartners and children entering public school in North Carolina for the first time should also have a health assessment completed by their child’s physician.
“It is important for children to be caught up on routine vaccinations, as this provides the best protection against many childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps, polio, whooping cough, meningitis and more,” said Catawba County School Health Supervisor Marianne Vogel. “These vaccinations help get everyone off to a healthy start.”
For families who do not already have a primary care provider, school nurses can help them find a physician.
“These well-child visits are important not only for vaccinations, but also to ensure that all of our community’s children are growing and developing into healthy adults,” said Vogel.
Public Health also offers routine vaccinations for children and teens, including those required for school, and is offering extra dates and times to make vaccinations more convenient. Appointments can be made by calling 828-695-5881.
“Vaccination is the best way to protect children from preventable diseases. Cases of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough have been on the rise, making childhood immunizations even more important,” said Sarah Rhodes, Clinical Nursing Supervisor with Catawba County Public Health. “Vaccines not only protect individual children; they provide protection for the community, too, by preventing rapid spread and not allowing these diseases to take a foothold in our community. This both helps protect our community’s children and gets them started in school with their best foot forward.”
More information on routine childhood and COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens: Call Catawba County Public Health’s Immunizations Clinic at 828-695-5881.
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Sincerely,
Emily Killian