Parents
of incoming seventh graders need to be aware that immunization laws
have changed, and most incoming seventh graders will need three more
immunizations (in addition to those previously required) to meet
state attendance mandates.
According
to LPISD lead nurse Laura Lynch, state law prohibits inadequately
immunized students from attending school. Beginning August 2009,
students entering seventh grade will be required to show proof of the
following new immunizations:
1
MCV4 (meningococcal) immunization
2
Varicella (chickenpox) immunizations
1
Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria and Pertussis) immunization, unless the
student can show documentation of a tetanus vaccine received
within the past five years.
Lynch
urges parents to obtain these immunizations right away to avoid being
inconvenienced by possible localized vaccine shortages or long waits.
Parents of students who will attend La Porte Junior High School are
asked to take documentation of the immunizations to the La Porte
Junior High campus this summer. Parents of students who will attend
Lomax Junior High should take their documentation to the Baker
Sixth-Grade campus, as the Lomax Junior High staff has relocated
there this summer due to construction.
"If
you wait until the first day of school to send in the documentation,
your child may be delayed in starting his first day of school,"
Lynch advised. "Please assist us in helping your seventh grader
have a smooth start to the school year."
For
the convenience of parents of seventh graders, local immunization
resources are listed below:
La
Porte Health Center:
1009 South Broadway, La Porte--Charges a sliding scale fee but will
provide immunizations free if you are unable to pay. Call
281-471-4202 for clinic hours and to verify vaccine availability.
Southeast
Community Health Clinic:
3737 Red Bluff, Pasadena--Charges a sliding scale fee but will
provide immunizations for free if you are unable to pay. Call
713-740-5000 for clinic hours and to verify vaccine availability.
Pasadena
Health Center:
908
East Southmore, #100, Pasadena--Charges $5.00 per vaccine. During
August the fee will be just $5.00 for as many vaccinations as a
student needs. Call 713-554-1091 for clinic hours and to verify
vaccine availability.
La
Porte EMS Headquarters:
10428 Spencer Hwy, La Porte--Free immunizations offered the 2nd
Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon. Call 281-471-9244 for
more information and vaccine availability.
July Free Mobile Immunization Clinics
July
18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., San Jacinto Mall, 6900 Garth Rd., Baytown
(HDTP)
July
21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., La Porte Elementary 725 South Broadway, La
Porte (HCPHES)
July
25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pasadena Town Square Mall (HDTP)
July
28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sagemont Church, 11300 South Sam Houston
Parkway (HCPHES)
August
Free Mobile Immunization Clinics
Aug.
4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Houston High School (enter Gym on
Edgebrook) (HCPHES)
Aug.
4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Neighborhood Center, 720 Fairmont, Pasadena
(Ronald McDonald Care Van)
Aug.
5, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Channelview ISD, 828 Sheldon, Channelview (HDTP)
Aug.
5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Deer Park High School, 402 Ivy, Deer Park
(HCPHES)
Aug.
10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Strawberry Health Center, 927 E. Shaw, Pasadena
(HDTP)
Aug.
11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dabbs Elementary, 302 East Lambuth, Deer Park
(HCPHES)
Aug.
13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Richey Elementary, 610 South Richey, Pasadena
(HDTP)
Aug.
19, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Kohls, 10318 Broadway, Pearland
(Ronald McDonald Care Van)
Aug.
26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Channelview ISD, 828 Sheldon, Channelview
(HDTP)
