July 27, 2021
Media Contact: Tara Rose, Public Information Officer, Crater Health District, Tara.Rose@vdh.virginia.gov
CRATER HEALTH DISTRICT ENCOURAGES BACK TO SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS
(Petersburg, Va.) — The Crater Health District (CHD) encourages families to make sure children are up to date on recommended vaccines regarding the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Virginia added new vaccine requirements for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade and 12th grade this fall. Crater Health District will be offering all required vaccines for all school-aged children as well as COVID-19 vaccines in all immunization clinics.
As of July 1, the following list represents changes resulting from the HB1090 bill that updates Virginia’s school required immunizations to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended schedule that promotes health through immunizations:
Kindergarten
- Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine– 2 doses
7th grade
- Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) (for males and females)– 2 doses (highly recommended)
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)– 1 dose
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, & Pertussis vaccines (Tdap) – 1 dose
12th grade
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY)– 1 dose
The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine series, COVID-19, and the flu vaccine are highly recommended by the health department. Parents may opt out of the HPV, COVID-19 and flu virus vaccines.
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect children and others in our community against vaccine-preventable diseases. The commitment to ensure children are up to date on their vaccinations is important to prevent the spread of diseases that can result in severe illness, disability, or death. CHD holds immunization clinics each week at our local health departments as well as scheduled Back-to-School clinics to assist with checking children’s immunization records and providing needed vaccines. Below are the scheduled walk-in Back to School Immunization Clinics at CHD health departments:
Walk-In Clinics:
- Dinwiddie — 14010 Boydton Plank Road:August 2 and 16. 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Greensville/Emporia — 140 Uriah Branch Way-:August 9 and 23, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Hopewell — 1501 West City Point Road-:July 23 and 28, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Petersburg — 301 Halifax Street-: August 10 and 17, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Prince George — 6450 Administration Drive: August 2 and 16, 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Surry — 474 Colonial Trail West:August 11 and 25, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- Sussex — 20103 Princeton Road:August 9 and 23, 1-3 p.m.
Vaccines will be available at no cost. Children will be able to receive the vaccine regardless of insurance status, but if your child does have health insurance, please bring a copy of the insurance card. A parent or guardian must be present for the child to be vaccinated.
“While much of the news lately has focused on the need to protect our community from the spread of COVID-19, the Crater Health District (CHD) wants to remind each family of the importance of making sure that your family members remain up to date with their traditionally required school-aged vaccines, says Gavin Landry, nurse manager for Crater Health District. “Vaccines have been and remain our strongest tool in the fight to eradicate many childhood diseases that were once all too common an occurrence. Additionally, as an enrolled provider in the Vaccines for Children Program, we are able to provide vaccines at no cost to eligible children.”
Vaccines play an important role in preventing serious, sometimes deadly, diseases. Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare professionals and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community.
For more information on school immunizations in Virginia, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/requirements/. For updated information from CHD including current clinic schedules, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/crater/.
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