CLINIC URGES PARENTS TO GET KIDS IMMUNIZED

Cape Girardeau health department officials are hoping many parents will beat the rush and update their children's shot records prior to the start of school next month.

Jane Wernsman, assistant director at the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center, said free immunization clinics are held five times each month throughout the year for infants and others needing to complete various shot series. About 80 people usually attend each clinic.

Additional clinics are scheduled in June, July and August to ensure immunizations are up-to-date for kindergarten students and teen-agers needing tetanus boosters, she said. Attendance swells to about 100 during these clinics, with attendance peaking in the weeks prior to the start of school in August.

"We mark the first days of school for Cape and Jackson because we're always rushed," said Wernsman. "We have one to two extra clinics in the summer months to try to accommodate these extra booster shots."

Missouri law requires every school-aged child to have verifiable immunization records prior to the first day of classes. Attendance may be barred for any child who fails to provide proof of immunization against particular infectious diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, Haemophilus influenza type b and hepatitis B until shot verification is obtained.

Some exceptions -- such as religious restrictions -- do exist; however, a form must be signed stating the noncompliance reasons.

The immunization against chicken pox has grown in popularity in recent clinics. Wernsman said the optional vaccine is particularly popular with older residents -- especially adults who have never had chicken pox.

Unlike most other inoculations, the chicken pox shot vaccination is not free.

"We have had a lot of adults who have never had chicken pox and have had the blood work and learned they don't have the antibodies for it coming in," she said. "The older you are when you have it, the more severe it can be."

Parents who have children needing to be immunized are encouraged to contact the health department and schedule an appointment for an upcoming shot clinic. Students under 18 years of age must have parental consent before being immunized, and attendees should bring an immunization record if possible. Medicaid recipients should plan to bring their card.

For more information, contact the health department at (573) 335-7846.