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Parkland experts encourage updating vaccine records before new school year

Parkland experts encourage updating vaccine records before new school year

‘Vaccines play a crucial role in protecting your child’s health’

If you blinked, you might have missed the summer break. In a matter of weeks, students will begrudgingly return to the classrooms, and parents will be returning to stores to pick up all the necessary back-to-school essentials.

Parkland Health experts recommend parents also add updating their children’s immunization records to their to-do list.

“With the numerous vaccine-preventable outbreaks across the country, immunizations are crucial to keep children healthy,” said Cesar Termulo, MD, Pediatrician and Associate Medical Director of Population Health at Parkland. “They help prevent serious illnesses, keep children healthy and allow them to stay in school while parents are able to remain at work. It’s a win for the whole family.”

Every year, about 4 million deaths worldwide are prevented by childhood vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Measles, hepatitis B, pneumonia, and rotavirus are among the top killers of young children that are vaccine-preventable, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC.

Children in Texas are required to have been vaccinated for nine communicable diseases before entering kindergarten through 12th grade. The required vaccinations include diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis; polio; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; varicella; meningococcal; and hepatitis A. Children in daycare must also be vaccinated.

The current measles outbreak in the U.S. is a stark reminder of the importance of vaccines. Among the confirmed cases, the CDC estimates about 92% of people were unvaccinated or their status was unknown.

“Research suggests that the measles vaccine has greater benefits beyond protecting just against measles,” Dr. Termulo said. “When a person contracts measles, their immune system is suppressed for a long period of time, making them more susceptible to death from other illnesses even several years later.”

If immunizations are needed, parents are encouraged to bring their children to one of Parkland’s network of neighborhood-based health centers. Many of the health centers offer immunizations on “Walk-in Wednesdays” with no appointment necessary.

Immunizations during Walk-in Wednesdays are given from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents can still walk in with their children for vaccinations on other days, but appointments are recommended. Parents should bring their child’s shot records to the clinic.

To schedule an appointment for your child at a community health center, please call 214-266-4000.

Parkland accepts Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP and most major insurance plans. If a patient does not have insurance, Parkland can provide financial screening to determine if they qualify for financial assistance. In addition, the CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program may be able to help. The VFC program provides vaccines for children ages 18 years and younger, who are uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid-eligible, or are American Indian or Alaska Native.

For more information about services available at Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org. For more information on the VCF program visit www.cdc.gov/features/vfcprogram/.

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