22/07/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 23/07/2024 21:49
Published on July 22, 2024
Metro health departments urge parents to get an early start on back-to-school vaccinations
As schools prepare to head back into session, metro health departments emphasize the importance of vaccinations to protect children in Kansas and Missouri classrooms this year. Free or low-cost vaccines are now available, and parents are encouraged to make appointments or visit a walk-in clinic now to avoid the long wait times that typically occur every August.
"Vaccines are one of the most effective tools for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and keeping metro kids safe because we have decades of scientific evidence to prove it," said Bridgette Shaffer, director of Jackson County Public Health.
Measles, once nearly eradicated in the United States, has reemerged in recent years, with more cases so far in 2024 than all of last year. Decreased vaccination rates contribute to the increase in measles cases. Healthy People 2030 set a goal of 95% measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage for kindergarteners, but the U.S. falls short of this at 93%, and both Kansas and Missouri are at less than 92%. Public health experts warn that this trend increases the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
"These diseases are not gone. They are still here, and vaccines remain our most effective protection at preventing disease outbreaks," Shaffer said.
Both Kansas and Missouri require several vaccines for children in school or child care, including but not limited to measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, polio and varicella (chickenpox). There are additional vaccines that are not required for school in every state, but that public health experts strongly recommend to prevent illness, including COVID-19, hepatitis A (required in Kansas), HPV and flu vaccinations.
Many local health departments offer walk-in or extended hours for immunizations, so parents and caregivers can bring in their children when it's convenient for them. Some health departments are on or near RideKC bus routes. Jackson County Public Health offers free rideshare passes and Wyandotte County Public Health offers free transportation to and from appointments.
If a parent does not have health insurance or if their insurance does not cover vaccines, the Vaccines for Children program offers vaccines at no cost to eligible children through health care providers enrolled in the program. Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule by contacting their health care provider or local health department.
Below is a list of back-to-school vaccination clinics in the region.
Johnson County, Kansas
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Multiple locations
Miami County, Kansas
Miami County Health Department
1201 Lakemary Drive, Paola, KS 66071
Wyandotte County, Kansas
Wyandotte County Public Health Department
619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, KS, 66101
Cass County, Missouri
Cass County Health Department
1411 S. Commercial St., Harrisonville, MO 64701
Clay County, Missouri
Clay County Public Health Center
800 Haines Drive, Liberty, MO 64068
Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County Public Health
3651 NE Ralph Powell Road, Lee's Summit, MO 64064
Kansas City, Missouri
City of Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department
2400 Troost Ave., Suite 1400, Kansas City, MO 64108
To meet the community's needs, the Kansas City Health Department is also hosting several Saturday vaccination clinics throughout July and August. These clinics are open to all parents, guardians and children needing vaccinations for school, with no appointments necessary:
Platte County, Missouri
Platte County Health Department
7925 NW 110th St., Kansas City, MO 64153
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Cass County, Missouri
Allie Prososki
816-380-8425
[email protected]
Clay County, Missouri
Kelsey Neth
816-200-3107 cell
[email protected]
Independence, Missouri
Riley Newton
[email protected]
Jackson County, Missouri
Kindle Biermann
913-608-9157
[email protected]
Johnson County, Kansas
Barbara Mitchell
913-477-8436 (Media phone)
[email protected]
Kansas City, Missouri
Kaleena James
[email protected]
Leavenworth County, Kansas
James Fricke
913-364-5779
[email protected]
Miami County, Kansas
Meckenzie Kelly, LPN
913-294-2431
[email protected]
Platte County, Missouri
Aaron Smullin
816-858-2412
[email protected]
Ray County, Missouri
Shelby Smithey, BSN, RN
816-776-5413
[email protected]
Wyandotte County, Kansas
Janell Friesen
913-573-6703
[email protected]
Janell Friesen, MA
Public Information Officer
Wyandotte County Public Health Department
[email protected]
Office: (913) 573-6703
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