Stratford Health Dept. Offering Back-To-School Shots, Physicals

Via the Stratford Health Department: STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford Health Department is sponsoring back-to-school immunization clinics for Stratford’s youth returning to school. This year, for the first time ever, the Stratford Health Department will also be offering students back-to-school physicals.

The immunization clinics and physicals will be offered at Birdseye Municipal Complex — third floor, 468 Birdseye St.

• Immunization clinic — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21
• School physicals — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21
• School physicals — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, Aug. 26
• Immunization clinic — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28

Vaccines include tetanus, chicken pox (varicella), mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR), meningitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), and tuberculosis. Vaccines such as tetanus, chicken pox and MMR will be available so that school-aged children and college-bound students can be up-to-date with their shots for the start of school. College-bound students are reminded to check and see what vaccinations are required or recommended for admission. Colleges and universities require documentation of two doses of MMR and two doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or documentation that the student has had a confirmed case of this disease. Costs may be more for those over the age of 19.

A vaccine you might not be familiar with is the meningitis vaccine. If you or your child are attending a college or university in Connecticut and intend to reside in on-campus housing, you will be required to be vaccinated against meningitis as a condition of residence. The meningitis vaccine is available for an administrative fee of $20 for those under the age of 19. For those over the age of 19, call ahead for cost.

Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV), for the prevention of cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer, and genital warts, is now available for females and males. Call the health department to determine if your child qualifies for this vaccine.

Parents of elementary, middle and high school students should check to see if their child’s immunizations are current or if a tuberculosis skin test is needed. If a child needs a tuberculosis (TB) skin test, he or she can receive it at the same time vaccines are given. Plan accordingly for the TB test because your child must return two to three days later to have the skin test read by a public health nurse. The TB skin test is an additional $20. Call the public health nurse, Bernice Bova, for more information about whether your child is considered high risk for TB and qualifies for the test at 203-385-4058.

Appointments are recommended for the August walk-in immunization clinics, however appointments are required for school physical appointments. We are not accepting insurances for school physicals at this time. The cost for a back-to-school physical will be $75.

Vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents or guardians must accompany their child and must bring the child’s immunization record with them. There is a $20 charge for the first immunization, and $5 for each immunization thereafter.

To schedule an appointment or for questions regarding the back-to-school immunization and physical clinics, call the Stratford Health Department at 203-385-4090.