Free and low-cost vaccination clinics set in Southwest Washington

Summer is in full swing, but school is just around the corner. There are several free vaccination clinics scheduled in the area during the next two months, for families who do not have a health care provider. Up-to-date vaccinations protect children from many serious diseases and are required for school. Children who do not meet all school vaccination requirements can be excluded from school until they do meet them. “Getting vaccinated according to the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things a parent can do to protect their child’s health,” said Brianna Dannen, public health nurse. “Diseases can quickly spread among groups of children who aren’t vaccinated.” All vaccines required for school are free for students up to age 19. Some providers may charge an administrative fee. Parents who can’t afford the fee may ask to have it waived. Clinics include: Camas4Kids Fair Doc Harris Stadium, 1125 N.E. 22nd Ave., Camas 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Free Clinic of Southwest Washington Walk-in, uninsured children only 4100 Plomondon St. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday year-round. LaCamas Medical Group Ages 6 and older. 3240 N.E. 3rd Ave., Camas, from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16. Sea Mar Vancouver Medical Clinic Walk-in, 1125 N.E. 22nd Ave., Camas 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 21m Aug. 28, Sept. 11, Sept. 18 and Sept. 25. Most students in Washington get the vaccinations needed to attend school, according to a press release from the Clark County Department of Public Health. However, 5.3 percent of students statewide were exempted for religious, personal, philosophical or medical reasons in the 2016-17 school year. Clark County’s overall K-12 vaccine exemption rate in schools with enrollments of 50 or more is 7.1 percent, ranging from 0 percent to 23.2 percent in individual schools. Of these exemptions, three-quarters are for personal reasons, not religious or medical reasons. “This is concerning because many diseases require high vaccination rates to ensure there’s enough widespread immunity in the population to protect others who have not developed immunity or are unable to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, health officer and Public Health director. For additional information, see www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents and www.vaccineinformation.org/.

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