With the back-to-school season fast approaching, the Pima County Health Department is urging parents to prioritize vaccinations for their children. As year-round school students are set to return to the classrooms later this month and most other districts will follow suit in early August, health officials are highlighting the importance of immunizations in protecting children against diseases that can quickly spread in a school environment.
Betsy Camara, the Vaccine Equity program coordinator at the Health Department, emphasized the critical nature of timely vaccinations in a recent interview. She stated, "On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases." Camara also pointed out that vaccines "can prevent infectious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults," according to her statement detailed by the Pima County Health Department Newsroom.
The safety of vaccines, a common concern among parents, is backed by rigorous testing. The legislation mandates multiple years of testing to ensure vaccine safety before they are made publicly available in the United States. Camara reiterated the relative mildness of vaccine side effects, such as redness and swelling, which typically resolve within a few days. She contrasted this with the far more severe risks of foregoing vaccinations, which include illnesses like measles and whooping cough, which can result in "pain, disability, and even death." For the few children who cannot take vaccines due to chronic medical conditions or previous severe allergic reactions, healthcare providers can offer tailored advice, as detailed by the Pima County Health Department.
Another essential concept that the public health nursing manager for PCHD, Kristin Robinson-Lund, stressed was herd immunity. Achieving a significant level of vaccination in the population helps protect those who are unable to receive immunizations due to medical conditions. "Vaccinating yourself protects the community at large," Robinson-Lund told the Pima County Health Department. Adult vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 are also on the table, with fall marking the availability of updated versions of these vaccines.
For those unsure where to get their kids vaccinated, the list of options includes pediatricians, local pharmacies with select age restrictions, and PCHD clinics that offer no-cost immunizations for children 18 and under. Details like appointment availability, clinic hours, and documentation requirements can be found on the Pima County Health Department Newsroom. Besides vaccines, PCHD also offers a variety of other services for families, from the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) to the Health Services Family Referral Form, which connects individuals or families with resources available in the community.
