In order to help parents prepare their children for school and daycare this fall, the Louisiana Department of Health – Office of Public Health, through its Shots for Tots program, is hosting back-to-school immunization events throughout Cameron Parish this month.  With these events, the Shots for Tots program continues its goal of having every child in Louisiana up-to-date on their immunizations. 

The following events are being hosted by the Cameron Parish Health Unit:

Where: Cameron Parish Health Unit                      Where: Hackberry Recreation Center
              107 Recreation Center Lane                      1250 Recreation Circle
              Cameron, La.                                                Hackberry, La.
When:   Friday, August 10, 2007                           When:  Tuesday, August 14, 2007
              8 a.m. – 4 p.m.                                             9 a.m. – 11 a.m.


Where: Johnson Bayou Recreation Center  Where: Grand Lake Recreation Center
              135 Berwick Rd.                                             108 Recreation Lane
              Cameron, La.                                                  Grand Lake, La.
When:  Tuesday, August 14, 2007                 When: Wednesday, August 22, 2007
              1 p.m. – 3 p.m.                                                  2 p.m. – 3 p.m.

An earlier news release announced a fifth event in Lake Charles on Saturday, August 11 at 3236 Kirkman St. from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary. While children are the primary focus of the program, older children and adults may also get any necessary immunizations, such as tetanus shots. 

Parents should bring their children’s shot records. 

“Having children fully vaccinated is one of the most successful and cost-effective public health initiatives available to improve our state’s health rankings,” says Dr. Fred Cerise, LDH secretary.  “But we need the public to take an active role in this effort.  That’s why our health professionals are going out to several different locations, to make visits as convenient as possible.  We’re making the shots available at no cost.  We’re not requiring appointments.  We’re trying to make it very simple for parents to get their children fully immunized.”

LDH continually works to get every child entered into the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) database. LINKS allows private physicians, hospitals and parish health units to track the immunization status of children from birth. The system helps ensure that all children are properly vaccinated, and in the event of a public health emergency, allows health officials to easily know who has been immunized against a specific disease.

For more information, contact the Cameron Parish Health Unit at (337) 775-5368 or go to www.dhh.louisiana.gov.