Frederick County Health Department To Hold Free Vaccination Clinics For Children Going Back To School

Officials say families do not need health insurance to get the shots.Frederick, Md (KM) With school set to start on Wednesday, August 20rh, it’s time for parents to make sure their children attending classes are up to date on their vaccinations. Between August 6th and October 29th, the Frederick County Health Department is holding free vaccination clinics.Elaine Kline, a communicable disease nurse at the Health Department, says no health insurance is required for kids to get the vaccines. She also say there’s an emphasis on children between the ages of 11 and 12 getting their age appropriate vaccines. “At that time, they’re eligible for the meningitis, the TDAP and HPV vaccines of which the meningitis and TDAP are required for school,” she says.TDAP is the vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. HPV is the Human Papillomavirus which protects against certain types of cancer and genital warts.Kline  says whether or not a family has health insurance to cover these and other vaccines should not be a deterrent to their children getting vaccinated. “If children don’t have insurance, they qualify  for our program year round and we can give them all of the vaccines that are required for their ages,” she says. “For kids who do have insurance during this back to school time period, we’re limited to just certain vaccines that we are able to give them. But we’re happy to speak with parents to make sure they get all the vaccines that are recommended for their age.”State law requires children attending pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to get their age-appropriate vaccines before coming to class. But there are exemptions. “There is a religious exemption in the state of Maryland. There is a specific form that a parent can get through the school nurse to self-report they have a religious objection,” says Kline.And there are other exemptions besides those based on religious belief. “And if the child has any kind of a medical condition that prevents them from getting vaccinated, their provider can also sign off on that form if they have a medical exemption from any specific vaccination,” Kline says.Any family which wants to get their children vaccinated for the fall can contact the Frederick County Health Department and set up an appointment. The number to call is 301-600-1733.By Kevin McManus