Craig Daily Press / Walk-in clinics scheduled for shots

Some immunizations required for students by state law

The Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association will host an immunization clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at its Craig office, 745 Russell St. The clinic is open to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. No appointment is necessary. Shots range in price from free to $14 each. For more information, call the VNA at 824-8233. Enlarge photo — Photo by Hans Hallgren

By Bridget Manley

August 16, 2008

What: Immunization clinics for students

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 26

Where: Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Craig office, 745 Russell St.

Cost: Immunization prices determined on a sliding fee scale, which takes into account parents’ income. Prices range from free to $14 per shot.

• Shots will be given on a walk-in basis and appointments are not necessary.

• Parents must bring their child’s immunization record and must accompany children younger than 18 years old.

• For more information, call the VNA at 824-8233 or visit www.nwcovna.info

First come the flu-like symptoms: nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting.

Rashes, joint pain and jaundice also can develop when a person contracts Hepatitis B, a virus-induced illness. In some cases, the virus can remain in the body for a lifetime.

And, sometimes, it can cause severe diseases or cancer.

Hepatitis B vaccinations are one of six types of shots required by Colorado law for students returning to school, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Web site.

Other required immunizations include those for tetanus, diphtheria, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (otherwise known as chickenpox) and pertussis (or whooping cough).

A local health care provider is setting aside time next week to help students meet the state’s requirements.

From 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s Craig office, 745 Russell St., will host a walk-in immunization clinic for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

A similar clinic is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at the VNA’s Craig office.

“We try to change the days and the times so that parents are able to get into one of these clinics,” said Jacque Malley, VNA public health nurse.

Parents are charged according to a sliding fee scale, which takes into account parents’ income and the number of family members. According to the scale, immunizations range in price from free to $14 per shot.

Parents must accompany students younger than 18 and bring a copy of their child’s immunization records to the clinic. The documentation is necessary to determine which shots a student needs before returning to school.

“We view the record, and we decide … what (shots) they need,” Malley said. “The only way we can do that is to know what (immunizations) they’ve had.”

Offered immunizations include varicella and TdAP, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. Both shots are new additions to the school entry immunizations required by Colorado law.

Students who do not meet immunization requirements will not be allowed to attend school, according to the Web site.

For a full list of immunizations required for students from kindergarten to 12th grade, call the VNA at 824-8233 or visit the Health Department’s Web site at www.cdphe.state.co.us.

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com