August 21st, 2008

Reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“The Allegheny County Health Department is requiring several new immunizations for schoolchildren this year, so parents might want to check with their pediatricians to make sure their children are up to date.

For the 2008-09 school year, the health department is requiring a meningitis vaccine for students in grades 7-12. In the past, the vaccine was required only for college students in Pennsylvania.

Another new requirement for students in grades 7-12 is a booster of the vaccine for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

…

The other two new requirements are for students in grades K-12 and they are for an additional dose of vaccines for mumps and chicken pox. The exception is for those who have had the chicken pox disease.

…

The health department has a free clinic for families who don’t have health insurance to cover the cost of the immunizations.

The walk-in clinic is at 3441 Forbes Ave. in Oakland and operates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and have immunization records.”