DC Immunization Clinics Are Open This Weekend

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) --- It's the same marching orders each back to school year, without the proper vaccinations, students will not be able to return to school this fall.

Parents in the District of Columbia are starting early to meet the requirements for their children to head back to school. For students that still need to be immunized there is still time.

The director for the DC Department of Health, Dr. Pierre Vigilance says the new requirements are an effort to avoid spreading preventable illnesses.

"There has been some resurgence of preventable illness world wide. Kids of times are the ones that manage to move disease rapidly and pass on to other people," explains Dr. Vigilance.

The new requirements differ for each grade. However, all children will now need to have the Varicella or the Chicken Pox Vaccine.

Students in the sixth through twelfth grades will also need a meningitis shot.

For girls enrolling in 6th grade, the District of Columbia Public Schools is asking girls to have the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine, called Gardasil, for the first time. The Gardasil vaccine is to help prevent the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer.

The Gardasil vaccine has been given to millions of young women and girls since June 2006. Since then some have reported side effects making the vaccine a controversial subject.

Parents in the District of Columbia are given the right to opt out of having their daughters get the Gardasil vaccination.

Dr. Vigilance's back to school message to all parents this year is get to the doctor and and then get ready for the next wave of precautions this fall.

"We want people to think of seasonal flu and then H1N1 as we get ready for the season," explains Dr. Vigilance.

Dr. Vigilance also wants to remind parents that students who are not immunized by September 7th will be held from going to class.

Need more information?

-Call 311 with your immunization questions or concerns

-To find out your child's immunization status, call Children's National Medical Center Immunization hotline at 202-476-5387.

VACCINATION CLINICS THIS WEEKEND:

Saturday, August 22nd (8am-4pm)

Kelly Miller Middle School 301 49th St. NE 20019

Ballou High School 3401 4th St. SE 20032

Kramer Middle School 1700 Q St. SE 20020

Coolidge High School 6315 5th St. NW 20011