Back to School Immunizations - County Health Departments Announce Special Clinics

As students head back to class in August, the ten-county health departments in Southwest Oklahoma are working to make getting ready for school as easy as possible. Public health experts said routine childhood vaccinations dropped dramatically during the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, and many children and adolescents may be behind on their shots.

That is why the health department is holding several back-to-school immunization clinics, including some extend hours, throughout their District 5 region which includes ten counties in Southwest Oklahoma. Additional clinics may be added, so please check with your local health department.

Children can get all immunizations needed to attend school starting next month in one place. COVID-19 vaccines will also be available for anyone age 12 and older. No need for an appointment; walk-ins are welcome.

Parents must accompany all children under 18 years of age. Please bring a valid ID, and insurance, if applicable.

All children two months of age and older must present an immunization record or file for an exemption before they are allowed to attend child care or school in Oklahoma. A guide to immunization requirements in Oklahoma for the next school year can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Health website: https://oklahoma.gov/health/prevention-and-preparedness/immunizations.html.

“Vaccination can protect against 14 serious childhood diseases, including measles, influenza (flu), tetanus, polio, and whooping cough (pertussis),” said District 5 Health Planner Debra Johnson. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children born between 1994 and 2018, vaccination will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 deaths over their lifetimes. “But vaccines do not work unless they are used,” said Johnson.

CDC recommends that providers give coronavirus vaccines on the same day as other vaccines, especially when children and teens are behind or in danger of falling behind on recommended shots. The CDC changed its guidance in May to allow for coronavirus shots to be given at the same time as others.

Back to School immunization events in Southwest Oklahoma include:

July 29 - Kiowa County: Lone Wolf Public Schools, 8-11am

July 31 - Jackson County: Altus Community Center Back to School Bash, Altus 10am-1pm

August 3 - Cotton County: Walters Public Schools, 9-2pm & 5-8pm

August 3 - Jackson County: Blair Public Schools, 9am-12pm

August 3 - Kiowa County: Extended hours at the Kiowa County Health Department, 8am to 7pm

August 4 - Comanche County: Lawton Public Schools, middle schools (Eisenhower, MacArthur, Central), 8:30-11am & 12:30-3pm

August 4 - Kiowa County: Mt. View-Gotebo Schools, high school cafeteria, 9am-12pm

August 5 - Beckham County: Sayre High School/Middle School, 5-7pm

August 5 - Caddo County: Anadarko Public Schools, 5-8pm

August 5 - Comanche County: Lawton Public Schools, middle schools (Eisenhower, MacArthur, Central) 8:30-11am

August 5 - Cotton County: Temple Public Schools, 2-4pm

August 5 - Jackson County: Duke Public Schools, 5-7pm

August 5 - Washita County: Burns Flat Public Schools, 5-7pm

August 10 - Beckham County: Elk City Middle School, Middle 400 N. Boone, 5-7pm

August 10 - Cotton County: Big Pasture Public Schools, Randlett 4-6pm

August 10 - Greer County: Red River Cowboy Church Back to School Bash in Mangum 5-7pm

August 12 - Beckham County: Extended Hours at the Elk City & Sayre County Health Dept., 8am-6pm

August 12 - Greer County: Extended Hours at the Greer County Health Department, 8am-7pm

August 14 - Greer County: Mangum BBQ Cookoff 9-11am - North of Courthouse in Mangum

August 16 - Comanche County: Cache Public Schools, 5-7pm

August 18 - Kiowa County: Sentinel Public Schools, 1-3pm

August 19 - Greer County: Extended Hours at the Greer County Health Department, 8am-7pm

August 28 - Greer County: Mangum Car Show 9-11am - North of the courthouse in Mangum, 9-11am