INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Jackson County Health Department is hosting a series of traveling immunization clinics for students ahead of the new school year, regardless of in-person or virtual learning during the pandemic.
"Thankfully, we have a lot of vaccines that can prevent diseases, and so we know people are focused on COVID-19 right now, but the last thing we need is another outbreak of something such as measles or these preventable diseases so we want kids to get vaccinated so they’re not spreading these diseases or contracting them. We want to make sure they’re preventing anything like this from happening," said Kayla Parker of the Jackson County Health Department.
Tuesday's clinic is at Lone Jack High School, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The traveling clinics are for incoming 8th and 12th graders.
The health department is asking all attendees to wear masks and register on their website ahead of time. They are also requiring just one parent or guardian to accompany their child, and arrive five minutes beforehand to avoid crowding.
Here are future dates and locations for the traveling clinics:
Aug. 12-14: Grandview Alternative School
Aug. 18-19: Fort Osage Fire Department
Aug. 20-21: Independence (City House)
Additionally, the health department is hosting kindergarten vaccine clinics at its main location in Independence.
"We just really want people immunized as quickly as possible and make sure they’re prepared regardless of when school starts this year, whether it’s in person or virtual, these people still need to get immunized," Parker said.
