INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Indian River County Health Department has scheduled special school immunization clinics on March 13, 14, and 15 from 1-4 p.m. at the health department, located at 1900 27th St. in Vero Beach.
Immunizations are free for children 2 months through 18 years of age who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program and will help prepare students to meet the 2012/2013 school year entry requirements for kindergarten, seventh grade, and also college students who plan to reside on campus. No appointment is necessary.
“This is a great opportunity for busy parents to get a jump start on their child’s immunizations for the upcoming school year and avoid the stress of waiting until the last minute.” said Miranda Hawker, County Health Department Administrator.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program offers vaccines at no cost to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. Your child is eligible for the VFC Program if he or she is younger than 19 years of age and is one of the following:
- Medicaid-eligible
- Uninsured
- Underinsured
- American Indian or Alaska native
Also, in addition to providing school immunizations, children 18 and under who started an immunization series, such as Human papillomavirus (HPV) or Hepatitis A, can come to the health department to complete the series.
Immunization records should be brought in with the child if they have never been to Indian River County Health Department or the health department’s satellite clinic, Gifford Health Center.
Students over 18 years of age do not qualify for free immunizations through the VFC Program, but can contact our Adult Health clinic at (772) 794-7425 for more information on immunizations.
While school immunizations for children through 18 years of age will continue to be offered in our pediatrics clinic during our regularly scheduled immunization hours, Monday through Friday, 8- 11 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m. (no appointment necessary), parents are encouraged to take advantage of these special immunization clinics and beat the summer rush.
For more information, call (772) 794-7478.
