The Cumberland County Department of Public Health is partnering with the public school system to hold evening clinics for back-to-school and COVID-19 immunization clinics for schoolchildren and teenagers in grades kindergarten through 12.
Students who participate will receive free backpacks and hygiene kits, according to a news release.
Walk-ins will be accepted each day until the clinic reaches capacity. No walk-ins will be accepted after 6:30 p.m. Insurance will be collected, but vaccines are free for children under 18 through the Vaccines for Children program, the release said.
Students should bring an ID card, a copy of insurance information and immunization records, if available.
Outreach clinics for students entering grades seven and 12 are scheduled:
A late-night clinic for students entering grades kindergarten, seven, and 12 will be held from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, 1235 Ramsey St.
All students entering seventh grade are required to obtain a Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccine before starting school. As of Aug. 1, 2020, a booster dose to protect against meningococcal disease is required for adolescents entering 12th grade or by age 17. More information is available here and in Spanish here.
A full list of immunizations required before entering kindergarten and seventh and 12th grades under state law can be found on the Cumberland County Schools website.
Anyone 18 or younger who does 0not have health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover immunizations can receive free immunizations through the Vaccines for Children Program.
For transportation to the Health Department for a walk-in visit to the immunizations clinic, call 910-433-3600.
State law says parents and caregivers have 30 calendar days from the first day of attendance to present the required immunization record and health assessment form for a child. After 30 days, students will not be allowed to attend school until the required immunizations and health assessment form has been presented.
Anyone who cannot attend one of these clinics can get required immunizations at the Department of Public Health from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, the news release said.
Visit cumberlandcountync.gov/publichealth or call 910-433-3707 for more information.
