August 15, 2007
Back to school, time for immunizations
Students across Alaska will soon be heading back to school. For their protection and the protection of others, students need immunizations to attend school, child care and Head Start programs.
Childhood immunizations can be obtained at YKHC village clinics, subregional clinics and outpatient clinics in Bethel. Private health-care provider clinics and public health centers throughout the state will also be dispensing immunizations.
In Alaska all vaccines recommended for children through age 18 are available at no cost through the state’s immunization program. Private health-care providers who receive state-supplied vaccine may charge an immunization administration fee; however, children can not be denied an immunization due to inability to pay an administration fee. Immunizations administered at state public health centers are provided at no charge for children under the age of 19.
Parents or guardians must bring the child’s immunization records with them to all health care visits. For information regarding immunizations required for school attendance, call the Immunization Hotline at 1-888-430-4321, or 269-8088 in Anchorage, or go to: http://www.epi.hss.state.ak.us/id/iz/factsheet/factsheet.pdf.