Special clinics to help immunize

HAYDEN - Panhandle Health District and Coeur d'Alene Rotary have teamed up to offer special clinics for children to meet the state's new immunization requirements for school.

The 2011 Legislature increased the number of immunizations needed for school attendance for children born after Sept. 1, 2005, and for students entering the seventh grade in the 2011-12 school year.

PHD scheduled special evening clinics to provide children with the needed immunizations. Coeur d'Alene Rotary provided $850 for refreshments and prizes for children who get their immunizations at the special clinics.

The first of several clinics is for students entering seventh grade in September. The clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the PHD office in Hayden, 8500 N. Atlas Road.

All children who get immunized will be entered into a grand prize drawing.

Children entering the seventh grade in the fall will need two additional immunizations: Tdap, a whooping cough booster that contains vaccines against tetanus and diphtheria; and the meningococcal vaccine. Both immunizations were recommended in the past and are now required.

Vaccines for children in Idaho are free.

There is a charge to cover storage equipment and nurses' time.

One shot will cost $14. Two shots will cost $21.

Appointments are needed. Call 415-5270.