New immunization requirements were adopted by the state this year, and school nurses in Lake Highlands are doing everything they can to make sure their students are fully immunized before that start of school on August 24. The changes take effect August 1, and they don’t want to have to turn students away because their vaccinations aren’t up-to-date.
Changes primarily affect new kindergarteners and seventh graders, so students in all 41 RISD elementaries and 8 junior highs are affected. Students who lack vaccinations now on the required list may be sent home until they receive their shots, leaving working parents stranded without childcare and causing students to miss those important first lessons.
Janna Gardner founded LH’s Healing Hands Ministries, which hosted immunization clinics in April and May. She has advice for parents – “don’t wait.” Right now, family doctors and low-cost clinics have abundant supplies of all required vaccines and time to give them. Once school begins and the rush is on, getting your doses updated may not be easy.
Janna had high praise for Krista Riley, nurse at Forest Meadow Junior High. “Krista has a passion for helping her students get immunized,” she told me, “and she works hard to bring all the community’s resources to the families she serves.” Forest Meadow will host a Care Van Clinic August 18th from 5-7 pm, with free vaccinations available to all Lake Highlands students. Parents should bring children’s shot records to FMJH with them. A parent or guardian must accompany all minors.
RISD Health Services also offers multiple other resources for low-cost or free immunizations.
