It's Worth A Shot Clinic June 15

3 vaccines aimed at protecting high school, college students

    Vaccinations aren’t just for little children. If your son or daughter will be entering high school or college in the fall, be sure to include vaccinations on the “to do” list. McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will provide Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), varicella (chicken pox) and meningitis vaccines for students aged 11-18 on Tuesday, June 15 from 8am-3:30pm at its Crystal Lake office (100 N Virginia Street, one block south of Routes 14 & 176). The clinic is open to all County residents 18 and younger. There is a $15 administrative fee per vaccine; Medicaid is accepted.
    In spite of the increase in childhood vaccination rates, adolescent immunization rates remain low across the nation. Wanda Martinez, MCDH’s Clinic Supervisor states, “This initiative is an effort to provide yet another opportunity to protect at risk adolescents.” Parents can keep children healthy by keeping them up to date on their vaccinations. Childhood diseases such as pertussis (also known as whooping cough), chicken pox and meningitis are vaccine-preventable. For high schoolers, the pertussis vaccine is combined with diphtheria and tetanus (called Tdap) and is given in a single dose. For children who have never had chickenpox or received the vaccine, two doses are needed (28 days apart). Meningococcal meningitis is a deadly disease that progresses rapidly. College freshmen living in dorms are especially vulnerable. Spread through air droplets and direct contact with an infected person, it can cause organ failure, brain damage or death within hours of the first symptoms.
    Vaccination records are required. Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or authorized adult. Call 815-334-4536 for an appointment. For more vaccine information, visit www.mcdh.info, link to Personal Health Services.