The Fairfax County Health Department wishes to remind parents and guardians that vaccines are still required to enroll into Fairfax County Public Schools even though all students will start the year with virtual learning.

In order to assist families in obtaining required immunizations, the Fairfax County Health Department is offering nine additional community childhood vaccination clinics and has expanded district office hours to provide Tdap vaccine at three clinics in Fairfax County. Parents are encouraged to take advantage of one of the free vaccination clinic opportunities soon so their children are immunized in time for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

“We know families are hesitant to venture out for routine health services, like vaccines, during the pandemic,” said the Health Department’s Director of Health Services Shauna Severo. “However, as restrictions continue to ease, children not up to date on their immunizations will be at greater risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses. Equally important, parents need to remember that school-required immunizations are mandatory, even when distance learning this fall.”

The Health Department reports that today’s childhood vaccines protect against potentially life-threatening illnesses, including polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. Seventh graders and transfer students also need a booster dose of Tdap vaccine before entering 7th grade. Preteens and teens need vaccines like HPV, which protects them against certain types of cancer later in life.

To allay parents’ concerns of visiting a community vaccination clinic or a district office, the Health Department will adhere to strict safety protocols to limit exposure to others. To protect families at the community vaccination clinics and district offices, only a select number of appointments per site will be made available.

Visitors will be asked to limit the number of individuals they bring to the appointment and will require everyone 2 years of age and older to wear face coverings that cover their nose and mouth. In addition, the Health Department will be conducting temperature checks at the entrance, visitors will be spaced at least 6-feet apart, and vaccination stations will be separated by partitions.

Source:  Fairfax County health Department