Local health officials urge students to get required vaccinations

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Clallam County Health & Human Services Department is encouraging parents and students to schedule appointments for required immunizations as they prepare for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Vaccinations protect students from diseases and keep them healthy, officials say.

Vaccinations required for students in grades kindergarten-12th grade are: Hepatitis B, DTaP/Tdap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), Polio, MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Varicella (Chickenpox).

For information about required school vaccinations, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website at www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Schools/Immunization/VaccineRequirements.

Find information on other recommended vaccines not required for school at www.immunize.org/cdc/schedules.

Clallam County Health & Human Services provides childhood vaccinations by appointment at Port Angeles and Forks offices. To make an appointment, call 360-417-2274 for the Port Angeles office, or 360-374-3121 in Forks.

Have vaccination records available and bring them to the scheduled appointment. The department accepts cash, checks and Medicaid. The county does not bill private insurance but participants can get a receipt to submit to insurance providers.

Some children may be eligible for a vaccine through the county’s children’s program.