Back-to-school is the right time for children’s immunizations, officials say

By Grace Da Rocha (contact)

Monday, July 3, 2023 | 2 a.m.

The new school year is less than a month away, bringing a new class of students needing those state-mandated vaccines.

Children are required by Nevada law to receive several vaccines before entering public and private kindergarten through 12th grade schools, licensed child care centers and universities, according to Immunize Nevada.

But it can be hard to keep track of what your child needs and when.

The Sun sat down with Chris Elaine Mariano, community health supervisor at the Southern Nevada Health District, about the basics of back-to-school shots.

What are some of the vaccinations that a child will need before attending school?

Basically, there are two different kinds of age groups that the school district looks at, and the first age group is definitely our kindergarten and upon entry into kindergarten. That would be the childhood vaccination. So childhood vaccination, you can always refer to the website. Again, that is www.snhd.info/bts, and there are different links available for the Clark County School District. But the school districts look for vaccines, which includes the DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis) vaccine, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, mumps, measles, rubella, varicella, polio, and that’s it for the childhood ones.

And there are also some vaccines for kids attending middle school?

So, per Nevada law, starting at seventh grade enrollment, they are required to receive the meningococcal, or meningitis, vaccine. Also, that’s basically the same time that students are also needing that next Tdap, or the tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria vaccine. It is also highly recommended to receive an HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine.

Why is it so important that these students get them before the school year starts?

Firstly, students are required to be vaccinated to enter into the school. So, if the children are not vaccinated prior to the school year, they are not able to enroll or not able to attend school during that time, per Nevada law. The other thing is to help prevent vaccine-preventable diseases and to prevent spreading the disease to those who are not vaccinated.

The health district has some vaccine clinics listed on the website, but are there any other places for people in Southern Nevada to get these vaccines for their kids?

Not only are vaccines available at the Southern Nevada Health District and at our pop-up clinics, but also children can always receive their vaccines at their primary care providers at their pediatricians’ offices. And I believe that Immunize Nevada also provides a calendar that assists in (finding) locations throughout the state for back-to-school vaccines.

What is the cost, if there is any, for getting these vaccines?

So, here at the Southern Nevada Health District, it’s dependent upon whether a child has insurance, but that does not limit children from receiving vaccines. Every child will be vaccinated that is seen here at the Southern Nevada Health District.

The cost for the vaccines — and again, it’s dependent upon your insurance or if you have insurance — for those who do not have insurance or (are) underinsured, there is an administration fee ($20 per person) as well. And then an additional administration fee ($8) for each additional vaccine.

What are the consequences if you are not vaccinated prior to the first day of school?

I’m not too sure what the answer is for that, and that more so should be focused toward the Clark County School District or the school that the child is entering. So, it is my understanding that children are not allowed to be in school if they’re not vaccinated in time.

For people who might be underinsured or uninsured, does the SNHD have specific programs for them to help with getting their children vaccinated?

If a child is underinsured or uninsured, we do have the Vaccines for Children program (that) provides vaccines for all children who are uninsured (or) underinsured.

Has the SNHD seen the rate of students getting vaccinated change due to some of the stigma against the COVID vaccine?

I really do not know the answer to this question.

Is there anything you’d want to suggest to parents or guardians as far as getting your kids vaccinated, like any tips or anything for them?

The first tip is definitely come early; definitely come early to any of our locations here at the Southern Nevada Health District or any of our pop-up locations, or try to get an appointment early with your pediatrician so that you can go and get vaccinated already. That way, you can help prevent having to wait in line for so long, and then each family, parents, students, teachers and faculties can enjoy the rest of their summer vacation because the new school year is coming up pretty soon.

(Also), here at the Southern Nevada Health District, I’m sure you’re aware that we do have our four locations, as well as our pop-up locations. The pop-up locations do not require an appointment. However, at our public health centers, we do require an appointment, so look early and make your appointment right away.