Back-to-School: The Importance of Immunization Consents
As the new school year approaches, it’s essential to ensure that our children are not only prepared with the right supplies and mindset but also protected against preventable diseases. Immunizations play a critical role in safeguarding the health of our children and the broader community.
The BTDH Community Health Immunization Consent forms allow our community health nurses to administer vaccines that protect against serious illnesses. With your consent, a public health nurse will give your child the recommended vaccines at school. Vaccines in this program may include:
- Grade 9: Tdap and MenC-ACYW vaccine.”
- Grades 1, 6, and 9: Any routine childhood and school vaccines that your child may have missed according to their immunization record on file. This could include vaccines such as Tdap-IPV, MMR, MMR-Var, and PneumoC-20.
- Grade 6: Hepatitis B vaccine for children who have not already completed a hepatitis B series and HPV-9 vaccine.
Influenza vaccines are available to all community members six months and older. Please call 403-737-3933 for more information on availability.
Your child will not get any vaccines at school unless you have signed and returned the consent form included in the information package. Without these vaccinations, children are at risk of contracting and spreading diseases that can have severe consequences.
By signing the consent forms, you are not only protecting your child but also contributing to the overall health of the community. Vaccinations help create herd immunity, which is especially important for those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons. When the majority of our community is immunized, it reduces the spread of disease, protecting everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
We understand that the start of the school year is a busy time, but signing the consent forms for your child’s immunizations is a simple step that has long-lasting benefits. Our team has now made it easier for parents to provide consent: simply call 403-737-3933 to provide verbal consent.
By taking a few moments to complete this process, you ensure that your child can receive their vaccinations at school without any delays or complications. Immunizations are a key part of your child’s health care. Be sure to review the immunization schedule and consult our community health team if you have any questions or concerns.
