Fargo, N.D. – The new school year is right around the corner, as Fargo Cass Public Health is getting the word out about the importance for kids to have updated immunizations.
FCPH is hosting a series of vaccine clinics so parents can have their children receive any needed vaccines.
“Vaccines are super important for our kids,” says FCPH immunization coordinator Cheryl Wavrin. “Because they run into such a variety of viruses and bacteria in daycare and schools.”
FCPH has scheduled walk-in clinics in conjunction with Family HealthCare on Tuesdays in August, with two more coming up on the 19th and 26th.
Listen: FCPH’s Cheryl Wavrin
Each clinic will be held in the FCPH parking lot at 1240 25th St South from 8am to 4pm.
Wavrin says it’s important to take advantage of this because viruses can spread fast.
“We all probably know about the measles in the U.S.,” said Wavrin. “Pertussis is the other more problematic, bacterial vaccine-preventable disease that we see.”
Wavrin says the vaccines are available for kids going into kindergarten all the way up to college.
For kids entering kindergarten, Wavrin says there’s a DTaP and polio vaccine, along with MMR and varicella to prevent chickenpox.
Kids going into seventh grade can get a tetanus booster and their first meningococcal vaccine.
Children heading into eleventh grade can receive a booster for meningococcal, and college kids can get any required blood work for blood work to check for tuberculosis or vaccine immunity.
FCPH will also accept appointments on both Tuesdays. And if that’s not possible, Wavrin says parents and guardians can schedule appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
To make an appointment, you can call (701) 241-1383 and select option 2.
