To combat the recent decline in childhood immunizations and meet the demand for the back-to-school season, Springfield-Greene County Health is offering vaccination appointments beginning Thursday, July 13. Through the Vaccines for Children program, these appointments are available for uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid eligible, American Indian and Alaskan Native children.
Families with health insurance that covers vaccines can contact the provider of their choice to make an appointment or visit vaccine417.com for details on other back-to-school vaccination opportunities on the Find a Vaccine map.
In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data showing that state-required childhood immunizations in kindergarteners dropped by one percent during the 2021-22 school year. The CDC also reported a one percent decline during the 2020-21 school year last spring. This could mean that many children are falling behind in their scheduled diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccine doses, Polio (IPV), measles, mumps, and rubella, as well as chickenpox.
Delayed or missed vaccinations can have consequences for the entire community. Nationwide, the CDC estimates that the vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2021 will prevent 472 million illnesses, almost 30 million hospitalizations, and more than one million deaths.
Parents and caregivers can complete the form at vaccine417.com to see upcoming appointment times. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available at these back-to-school opportunities, for both children and adults.
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Media may contact the Health Department PIO Team by call or text at 417-380-2556 or email at [email protected].
Springfield-Greene County Health Department
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