New pencils, paper, notebooks and crayons are typically in the backpacks of students ready for their first day of school, but this year two local health organizations have partnered with Turlock Unified School District to add to that list and ensure children are ready for the 2018-2019 school year with up-to-date immunizations.
TUSD Director of Student Services Gil Ogden said that the district is expecting an upwards of 100 children at its first Immunization Clinic Day alongside Golden Valley Health Centers Clinic, set to take place on Aug. 7. The district has also partnered with Legacy Health Endowment to offer free immunizations on Aug. 4, as well as free sports physicals and free school physicals.
“We’re trying to get the word out for students to get all of this done prior to the start of school,” Ogden said. “If they don’t have the required immunization on day one, they might not be able to start that day. We don’t want them to miss any days of school due to them not having immunization records.”
Prior to entering kindergarten, students need five doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (four doses are okay if one was given on or after the fourth birthday), four doses of Polio (three doses okay if one was given on or after the fourth birthday), three doses of Hepatitis B, two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (both given on or after first birthday) and one dose Varicella.
We’re trying to get the word out for students to get all of this done prior to the start of school. If they don’t have the required immunization on day one, they might not be able to start that day. We don’t want them to miss any days of school due to them not having immunization records.TUSD Director of Student Services Gil Ogden
Prior to entering seventh grade, students need four doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, four doses of Polio (three doses okay if one was given on or after the second birthday), two doses of Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Varicella (chickenpox — admission at ages 7-12 years need one dose, ages 13-17 years need two doses) and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) — one dose at seventh grade or out-of-state transfer admission at grades 8-12 or one dose on or after the seventh birthday.
Students who show up to the TUSD and Golden Valley Health Centers Immunization Clinic Day will need to bring their yellow immunization card, which can be picked up from their school, immunization consent form signed by a parent or guardian and proof of health insurance.
Students can also qualify for free immunizations at the Aug. 7 clinic if they do not have health insurance, if their health insurance does not cover immunizations, if they are eligible for Medi-Cal/CHDP or are American Indian or Alaskan Native.
“Whatever we can do to help our families, we want to do,” Ogden said.
At the Legacy Health Endowment clinic, all students who bring a copy of a recent utility bill to confirm their residency are eligible to receive free immunizations, free sports physicals and free school physicals. Sports physicals are required annually for students who wish to partake in a sport, while school physicals are required before a child can enter kindergarten.
“We’ve run into a lot of students in working families who want to play sports but their families are having a hard time paying for insurance,” Ogden said. “To have it done for free is a great service for them.”
The Legacy Health Endowment clinic will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 4 at Hilmar High School, 7807 Lander Ave. in Hilmar. The Golden Valley Health Centers Immunization Clinic Day will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 7 at Golden Valley Health Centers Monte Vista, 2240 W. Monte Vista Ave. in Turlock.
