By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department
The Garrett County Health Department reminds parents of the required vaccines for school students.
• A single dose of Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine is required for all students entering 7th through 12th grades.
• Two doses of Varicella vaccine are required for students entering Kindergarten through 6th grade.
These requirements went into effect 2013 as per the Code of Maryland, COMAR 10.06.04.03.
Two appointment-only clinics for students in need of these vaccines for school entry are scheduled for August. An Oakland clinic will be on August 26th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Health Department location at 1025 Memorial Drive. A Grantsville clinic will be on August 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 28 Hershberger Lane.
Tdap, Meningococcal, and Varicella vaccine will be offered free of charge and there will be no administration fee. Parents are asked to bring a current copy of the student’s immunization record. To schedule an appointment at one of the clinics, please call 301-334-7770 or 301-895-5355.
Also, available at these clinics will be Gardasil®, the Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccine, to age-eligible students. HPV vaccine is recommended for girls 9 to 26 years of age and boys 9 to 21 years of age to help prevent certain cancers caused by HPC infection including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, oral, penile, and anal cancers. Gardasil® will be offered at no charge for Vaccines for Children eligible students which includes those who have Medicaid, are uninsured, or whose insurance does not pay for the vaccine. There will be an administration fee for these students. Students with commercial insurance should bring a valid insurance card so their insurance can be billed for Gardasil.
Pfizer COVID vaccine will also be available at these clinics for children 12 years of age and older. This is a free, two-dose series. The second dose should be given twenty-one (21) days after the first dose. A child is considered fully vaccinated after completion of both doses. Current COVID-19 vaccine protocol allows for its administration at the same time as other vaccines.
For more information, call the Health Department at 301-334-7770 or 301-895-5355.
Read More, and view the original press release at Garrett County Health Department.