Back To School Immunizations

Fairfax County Health Department Clinics Expand Hours for Back To School Immunizations

August 18, 2008

News Highlights:

• Immunization against various diseases is required for children seeking entry to school.
• Fairfax County Health Department clinics are offering extended hours to accommodate parents seeking to enroll their children.
• Children must be accompanied by parent with immunization records.  Reservations may be requested.

Normal preparations for children returning to school typically include purchasing of school supplies and coordinating a new wardrobe for students.  The Fairfax County Health Department reminds parents of another requirement of great importance – immunizations.  Virginia law requires school children meet specific minimum immunization requirements to enter school and the Health Department has once again expanded services to meet this demand.

Laws requiring immunization before entry into school or day care serve as a safety net to children and the community.  They ensure that at a young age, every child’s records will be reviewed for completeness and under immunized children will be identified and brought up to date.  Contagious diseases are easily spread among susceptible people.  Vaccination reduces the chance of outbreaks in schools and communities by reducing the number of unprotected people who may be infected and subsequently transmit the disease.  The immunizations required for day care/school entry protect against 11 infectious diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, polio, pneumococcal disease, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. 

As always, the Health Department offers free immunizations for all children at its five District Office clinics. These are in effect to accommodate parents with children who need school required immunizations and tuberculin skin tests.  A parent must accompany a child to clinic and must bring immunization records.  Clinic hours are extended Friday, August 29, to help parents of sixth graders comply with the Tdap booster requirement before school starts Tuesday, September 2.  All Health Department District Office clinics have walk-in hours; however, for fastest service and shortest wait, call ahead to make an appointment.

The Joseph Willard Health Center (3750 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, telephone 703-246-7100) will be offering special immunization clinic hours leading up to the opening of  schools.  Special hours include:

Thursday, August 21                 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 
Tuesday, August 26                  8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 28                 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Friday, August 29                     7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 2              8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Health Department Walk-in clinic hours for all locations:

Mondays and Wednesdays
(August 20, 25 & 27)            8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tuesdays
(August 26 & September 2)    8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday, August 29 only           7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 

 

Clinic locations and phone numbers (TTY for all is 703-591-6435)

Fairfax (Joseph Willard Health Center): 3750 Old Lee Hwy. – 703-246-7100
Falls Church: 6245 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500 – 703-534-8343
Herndon-Reston: 1850 Cameron Glen Dr., Suite 100, Reston – 703-481-4242
Mt. Vernon: 8350 Richmond Hwy., Suite 233, Alexandria – 703-704-6100
Springfield: 8136 Old Keene Mill Road – 703-569-1031

Parents also can call their child’s pediatrician or other child health care provider for immunizations.

 A complete listing of all of the immunization for day care and school entry may be found on the Virginia Department of Health’s immunization requirements web page