Families who would like to have their children receive vaccinations before school resumes next week are encouraged to participate in a free vaccine clinic provided by the Holyoke Health Center that is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, from 11-3 p.m. This vaccine clinic is one of the many offerings families can participate in during Holyoke’s annual Back to School Celebration at McNally Field behind Kelly School on Saturday. Call Holyoke Health Center at 413-420-2200 for more information.
“Families who are looking to schedule immunizations for their children who can’t attend Saturday’s vaccine clinic are encouraged to schedule an appointment with their children’s doctors or contact the CVS Minute Clinic,” said HPS Director of Health, Wellness & Nursing Cynthia Carbone.
“As a reminder,” she said, “under state law, families must provide proof that their children have been successfully immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella, and meningitis in order to be admitted to school. Children who are not in compliance may be excluded from school until the school receives proper documentation of immunization.”
Students new to the district are expected to comply with these state regulations before entry.
While immunizations are generally required, the state does recognize some situations in which children may be admitted to school without having documentation that they are up to date on their vaccines. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, children not fully vaccinated (including those with a medical or religious exemption) will likely be excluded from school.
“It is important to understand that, with some diseases such as measles, one infected child is considered an outbreak,” Mrs. Carbone said. “The length of time your child will be kept out of school depends on the disease and may be as long as 3-4 weeks.”
Please contact your child’s school nurse for more information.