St. Francois County Health Center Urges Families to Schedule Back-to-School Immunizations

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - Parents getting ready for the new school year are being reminded to make sure their children have all required immunizations before heading back to the classroom.

The St. Francois County Health Center is encouraging families to schedule appointments as soon as possible to avoid the late-summer rush. Kimberly Grass, Immunization Coordinator with the St. Francois County Health Center, says now is the best time to get children caught up on their vaccinations.

Grass says immunizations play an important role in protecting children from preventable diseases and helping keep schools healthy.

Missouri school immunization requirements include several age-specific vaccines.

Children entering kindergarten must be up to date on their primary vaccination series as well as the booster shots required after the age of four.

Students entering eighth grade are required to receive a Tdap booster, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough), along with their first meningitis vaccine.

Students entering their senior year of high school must receive the booster dose of the meningitis vaccine that follows the eighth-grade immunization.

Parents who still need to schedule immunizations can contact their child's healthcare provider or make an appointment with the St. Francois County Health Center by calling 573-431-1947.