HENDRICKS COUNTY – Public health officials remind parents to schedule appointments now for their children’s immunizations for the 2016-2017 school year.
“Every year, the Indiana State Department of Health sets vaccine requirements that children need before returning to school in the fall,” says Tamera Brinkman, Director of Public Health Nursing with the Hendricks County Health Department. “We ask parents to check with their child’s doctor to see if they need vaccinations and to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated during the summer if they are needed.”
Brinkman states that the longer parents wait to schedule an appointment, the harder it may be to get their child vaccinated before school starts. Without required vaccinations, students may be excluded from class in the fall.
“The summer gets busy, so scheduling an appointment now can alleviate the stress of trying to find an open appointment when school starts,” continues Brinkman. “By the time school starts, the Health Department is usually booked through the fall, and doctors may not have appointments available outside school hours.”
Vaccination needs differ from child to child depending upon what vaccines they received in the past and when they received them.
“A child’s doctor or our Public Health Nurses can help parents determine what shots are needed based on their child’s age and previous vaccination history,” says Brinkman. “Parents should contact their child’s doctor or the Health Department for more information and to schedule their appointment.”
Parents of children without a doctor can contact the Hendricks County Health Department Nursing Division at (317) 745-9222 for information about providers in the community or to schedule an appointment at the Health Department’s clinic located in the Hendricks County Government Center, 355 S. Washington St. Danville, IN 46122. Immunization appointments are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays between 8:30 A.M. and 11:30 A.M., and Wednesdays between 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M. Most insurance is accepted. Uninsured patients may also be vaccinated at the Health Department.
The Hendricks County Health Department Nursing Division also provides adult immunizations, tests, and other screenings for a fee. For more information about available services, call (317) 745-9222 or visit their website at www.co.hendricks.in.us/health.
