TULSA, OK \u2013 [July 19, 2015] \u2013\u00a0The Tulsa Health Department reminds parents of children entering kindergarten or the 7th grade that now is the time to visit immunization clinics to avoid the back-to-school rush that starts every year in August. There are no new immunization requirements for the 2016-2017 school year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur clinics will be very busy as the first day of school approaches, which is why we recommend families have their child immunized now while there is little to no wait time,\u201d said Priscilla Haynes, Tulsa Health Department division chief of preventive health services. \u201cImmunizations are one of the best ways to protect the health of your child against vaccine preventable diseases.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year, THD is offering two new convenient features to help clients during this busy time:<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Online immunizations records requests
\nParents and legal guardians can request immunization records electronically at\u00a0www.tulsa-health.org\/shotrecords. Requests will be processed within 5 business days.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0Extended hours at two locations in August
\nImmunization clinics at the James O. Goodwin Health Center, 5051 S. 129 E. Ave., and the Central Regional Health Center, 315 S. Utica, will stay open until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Fridays these locations will close at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n
THD provides immunizations according to the school requirements, CDC recommendations and the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule.<\/p>\n
The demand for vaccines turns into a rush before school starts in August because of the booster shots that are due before children enter kindergarten. Most children entering kindergarten are required to receive a second dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine), a fourth dose of polio vaccine, and a fifth does of DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccines). A second dose of varicella is recommended at four years of age.<\/p>\n
Children transferring into Oklahoma schools from other states may need the hepatitis A vaccine. This vaccine is not required for all states; however, hepatitis A vaccine is required for all Oklahoma students in grades kindergarten through twelfth.<\/p>\n
Students entering the 7th grade must receive a Tdap booster. Teens in the 8th through 12th grades must also have one dose of Tdap if they have not received it already.\u00a0 Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).\u00a0 Meningitis and HPV vaccines are also recommended for adolescents at 11 years of age. First-time college enrollees who will reside on campus are required to receive the meningitis vaccine.<\/p>\n
Infants, children and adolescents under 18 years of age must be accompanied by their parent or guardian and bring a copy of their current immunizations record to receive immunizations.<\/p>\n
THD provides childhood immunizations at no cost to children through age 18 who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.\u00a0 The following insurances are accepted: Community Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Choice, Cigna, Medicaid, SoonerCare and Medicare. Individuals with insurance accepted by THD should bring a copy of their insurance card to avoid out-of-pocket expenses.<\/p>\n
Childhood immunization clinics are available at the following times and locations:<\/p>\n
James O. Goodwin Health Center | 5051 S. 129th E. Ave.
\n8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday\u00a0
\n8:00 a.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m. Friday<\/p>\n
Central Regional Health Center |315 S. Utica
\n8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday\u00a0
\n8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday<\/p>\n
North Regional Health and Wellness Center | 5635 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.\u00a0
\n8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday\u2028
\n8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday<\/p>\n
Collinsville Health Center | 1201 W. Center (918-596-8650)
\n8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays<\/p>\n
Sand Springs Health Center | 306 E. Broadway (918-591-6100)
\n8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mondays\u2028
\n8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesdays<\/p>\n
For more information about immunization clinics and state immunization requirements please visit\u00a0www.tulsa-health.org\u00a0or call 918-582-WELL (9355).<\/p>\n
View a complete\u00a0guide to immunization requirements in Oklahoma for the 2016-2017 school year\u00a0and more information about\u00a0Tdap requirements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
TULSA, OK \u2013 [July 19, 2015] \u2013\u00a0The Tulsa Health Department reminds parents of children entering kindergarten or the 7th grade that now is the time to visit immunization clinics to avoid the back-to-school rush that starts every year in August. There are no new immunization requirements for the 2016-2017 school year.\u00a0 \u201cOur clinics will be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n