County’s Back to School Immunization Clinic begins Monday at Health Dept.

This year’s Yuma County “Back to School Immunization Clinic” will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday over the next two weeks in the Health Department Auditorium, 2200 W. 28th St.

Every child entering a Yuma County school is required to have proof of all required immunizations, or a valid exemption, in order to attend school. Although the health department offers immunizations throughout the year, during the two week back-toschool clinic, the Yuma County Health District concentrates resources specifically to meet the increased volume of children preparing to go back to school.

The health district carries and administers all school-required immunizations, and staff can immediately update the immunization record.

Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. A legal guardian must provide guardianship documentation.

Students who come to the clinic need to have:

• Current immunization record • Proof of residency • $10 cash for the visit fee. If the child is covered by AHCCCS/KidsCare an ID card or letter will need to be produced. No child will be turned away for inability to pay.

Yuma County does not accept notes from parents authorizing a third party (such as an aunt, grandparent, or older sibling) to bring a child for immunizations. If the child is accompanied by an adult other than the parent/legal

guardian, they will be given paperwork for the parent/legal guarding to read, complete and sign prior to the child being immunized. The consent must be returned along with a copy of a valid photo ID containing signature for comparison.

“Vaccines are a convenient, safe and effective way to promote health and wellness,” said Diana Gomez, director of the Yuma County Public Health Services District. “Vaccines protect children by helping the immune system create antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses.

“These antibodies help protect them if they are exposed to the virus in the future. When a large percentage of the population is immunized against a contagious disease, it promotes ‘herd immunity’ by limiting the ability of the disease to spread,” Gomez added.

“Herd immunity is critical in helping protect members of our community who are particularly vulnerable to disease, such as infants who are too young to be vaccinated or individuals with weakened immune systems due to illness or chronic medical conditions.”

Last year the Yuma County Public Health Services District administered 16,215 vaccines. Approximately 1,889 were administered during the two-week Back to School Clinic.

For more information, call 928-317-4559 or visit https://www.yumacountyaz.gov/government/ health-district/divisions/ nursing/immunizationservices. The website includes a link to a parental consent form for immunizations.