A new law that went into effect for Texas students prompted an amazing, last-minute run on Collin County’s health department last week, as thousands of scrambled to get immunization records updated in time for the new school year.

The number of kids coming in to the county’s Health Care Services location in McKinney for shots in August almost doubled last years’ turnout, with about 2,095 children coming in for 4,846 immunizations. Last year, 1,243 children received 2,554 shots.

Last week alone, the immunization clinic gave more than 2,512 shots as more than 1,000 children and their parents began showing up after many local health care providers ran out of some of the new immunizations required to attend school.

Texas changed school immunization requirements in March, and they affect mostly children entering kindergarten and seventh grade. Included are new doses of vaccines for Hepatitis A, chickenpox and the combined Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine. Some students are also required to get new shots for the meningococcal vaccine, for example.

“I just have to brag on the awesome public health staff we have,” said Candy Blair, Health Care Services department head. “For most of the week it was standing room only and late hours for most of our folks. Everyone worked through to make sure every need was met.”

And they’re still coming. On Monday, the first day of school, hundreds of kids and parents packed the waiting room of the county offices on McDonald Street.

“As we speak, they are still giving immunizations with a smile on their face and a compassionate voice,” Blair added.

Late Monday, state health officials issued an emergency rule that permits schools to provisionally enroll students until Sept. 30, 2009, that may not have had the meningococcal, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, and varicella vaccines yet.

 

View Past Features