Jackson County Health Department Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics Prepare Students for Upcoming Year

     Starting Monday, July 18, the Jackson County Health Department is offering back-to-school vaccines at its Independence clinic to help families prepare students for the upcoming year.
     Parents of students entering Kindergarten, 8th or 12th grades, and parents of students behind on other immunizations can make an appointment at the health department’s clinic in Independence.
     Due to increased clinic volume during the back-to-school season, all services at the health department are by appointment only. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment as soon as possible to secure their desired date and time.
     “Getting students caught up on vaccines missed will help them stay healthy and in the classroom,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer said. “Routine immunizations keep our children protected against serious diseases. We encourage parents to take advantage of our upcoming clinics to prepare their students for the new school year.” 
     In addition to protecting their health, immunizations help students avoid missing in-person school time. Missouri law requires students to be up-to-date on their vaccines before the start of the school year. If immunizations or waivers are not complete, students cannot attend school until the requirements are met.
     The health department will also be offering a handful of traveling back-to-school immunization clinics throughout the summer. To learn more about clinic offerings and to make an appointment, visit the health department’s website.