The new school year is just around the corner and 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 and Maternal Child Health Injury Prevention programs, is holding a back-to-school event for children in Southwest Louisiana. Children can receive free required immunizations as well as inspections for car seats and seat belt fittings.
The Calcasieu Parish Health Unit will hold its Back-to-School event as follows:
Where: 3236 Kirkman St.
Lake Charles, La.
When: Saturday, August 11, 2007
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Appointments are not necessary. While children are the primary focus of the program, older children and adults also may get any necessary immunizations, such as tetanus shots. Any child 12 years and under can be checked for correct seatbelt fit and/or correct child safety seat use.
According to Dr. Fred Cerise, LDH secretary, this back-to-school effort furthers the important goal of bringing more Louisiana children up to date on their immunizations. “Our Office of Public Health has increased efforts to vaccinate children and has put on the back-to-school drive for several years,” Cerise said.
Parents should bring their children’s shot records.
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 Calcasieu Parish Health Unit at (337) 478-6020 or go to www.dhh.louisiana.gov.