Crawford County Public Health is eagerly gearing up to visit your child’s school to provide several vaccines.   The vaccines include not only seasonal influenza, but also Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis or whooping cough), Meningococcal (Meningitis) and HPV (Human Papillomavirus, a cancer preventative vaccine).

These vaccinations will be provided FREE of charge from Crawford County Public Health and the Wisconsin Immunization Program, as part of an Emergency Preparedness Mass Immunization exercise.  Crawford County Public Health will be offering vaccines to all Crawford County schools and to home-schooled children as well.  Consent forms for your child(ren) to receive these FREE vaccines are still welcomed. Consent forms are available from your school district and also at the Crawford County Public Health website; http://www.crawfordcountywi.org/flu.html.

Depending on whether your child received an influenza vaccine in the past, some children younger than nine years of age will need two doses of vaccine spaced four weeks apart. Yearly influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and older. HPV vaccine is recommended for all children starting at age 11 and consists of 3 total doses. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended for those aged 11-18 years of age and consists of 2 doses.  A booster dose of Tdap is recommended starting at age 11.

School based immunization clinics facilitate vaccination of a large number of children while also protecting the health of your school community and also those who are or are unable to be vaccinated. Beside protecting your child(ren) against several serious illnesses school clinics also offer other benefits that include; convenience for parents (guardians) as appointments are not needed, children and parents miss school/work less due to illness, there is no out of pocket cost to any family, and best of all, you have a healthier child. Healthy children learn better!

School clinics will be held in mid to late October so turn in your child’s consent form to your school office or nurse soon. All consent forms will be evaluated by one our Public Health Nurse’s to ensure your child receives the proper vaccinations.

 If you have any questions about your child’s vaccine record, vaccination clinics, or vaccine information please call 326-0229 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  

The CDC’s website is an additional resource and can be found at http://www.cdc.gov. Your child’s health care provider can also answer your questions regarding vaccinations.