For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – As summer comes to a close, the Lincoln County Health Department (LCHD) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are urging parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated before the start of the school year.
“Over the course of the pandemic, many children fell behind on their routine childhood vaccinations,” said Jennifer Johnson, LCHD Public Health Nurse. “Back-to-school time is a great opportunity to get caught up on those vaccinations and get the COVID-19 vaccine, too. Colder weather in the fall, school being in session and the colder months coming up mean people will spend more time together inside and closer together. Vaccination remains the best way to prevent illness, including COVID-19.”
LCHD said there are no new immunization requirements for this school year.
“All students entering the 6th grade need one shot of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria acellular pertussis) vaccine,” LCHD stated. “Kindergarten students need booster shots of varicella (chicken pox), DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis), polio and MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). Also, all 16-year-olds should be getting their annual physical and making sure they get their 2nd meningococcal shot.”
Children who have health insurance with vaccine coverage are able to receive the Tdap vaccine through the LCHD. Appointments are required.
“If your child needs additional, shots please call his/her healthcare provider,” LCHD said.
Children who have no health insurance, children with health insurance but no vaccine coverage and children on Medicaid/BadgerCare can receive all routine immunizations through LCHD. Cost is $10.00, and appointments are needed. To schedule an appointment, call 715-536-0307 or email [email protected].
LCHD is encouraging parents, guardians and students to take actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 this school year by staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, knowing Lincoln County’s COVID-19 Community Level (www.bit.ly/3R93Ogh), knowing what to do if exposed and staying home when sick.
Individuals six months and older are able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost.
Nearly 15,000 Lincoln County residents – roughly half of the county’s population – have received a primary of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to LCHD.
LCHD continues to partner with AMI Expeditionary Healthcare to provide COVID-19 vaccine clinics on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at LCHD, 607 N. Sales St., Merrill.