June 9, 2016
Contact: Doug Bolnick, Public Information Officer, 636-949-7408
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO – The state of Missouri requires that students are up-to-date on specific immunizations before attending school. To help meet these requirements, and to minimize the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases in our community, the St. Charles County Department of Public Health’s Immunization Clinic provides these necessary vaccinations.
“Planning for the next school year may not be on the minds of parents or students as summer is just beginning, but the Department of Public Health staff is ready to make the preparation a little easier,” Public Health Director Hope Woodson said. “With new vaccine requirements for the coming year, there may be a bit of confusion about what is necessary. Through our conveniently scheduled appointments and walk-in clinics, students can get all of the preventative shots they need before the school year begins.”
The Immunization Clinic, located at 1650 Boone’s Lick Road in St. Charles, offers vaccinations on an appointment basis. Clinic hours are 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m., weekdays, except Thursday, when the clinic is closed, and Tuesdays, when hours are extended to 5 p.m. Additionally, the clinic is open until 7 p.m. on June 14, July 12 and August 9. Along with these scheduled appointments, walk-in clients are welcomed from 8:30-11 a.m. on Fridays.
In addition to traditional hours, the department will host several “Walk-In” clinics focused on back-to-school immunizations. These clinics will be:
- Thursday, July 14 — 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, July 21 — 8:30 to 11 a.m.
- Thursday, July 28 — 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 4 — 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 7 p.m.
A parent or guardian must accompany all students at the appointment or the walk-in clinics. To ensure students receive all necessary vaccinations, please bring a current immunization record. For information on the Immunization Clinic, please visit
http://www.sccmo.org/Immunizations or call 636-949-1857.
There are several ways to get these vaccinations through the Department of Public Health and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Those eligible for the Vaccines for Children program are provided these shots at no cost. For those who do not qualify for the Vaccines for Children program, these vaccinations can be covered by many health insurance plans, or they may be purchased at near cost by the individual.
Vaccines for Children program is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children ages 18 or younger are eligible to participate if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Do not have health insurance
- Are covered by Medicaid
- Are Native American or Alaskan Native
- Have health insurance that does not cover immunizations
Along with the previous vaccine requirements that have been in place for several years, parents should be aware that — for the 2016-2017 school year — these regulations now require doses of the
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) for incoming eighth and 12th grade students. One dose of MCV4 is required for all incoming eighth graders at Missouri schools. Incoming seniors need two doses of MCV4; if the first dose was administered at age 16 or older, only one dose is required.
Another important vaccination to remember is MMR, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella. Cases of measles have increased across the United States over the past few years. A highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, measles starts with a high fever, progresses to a cough, runny nose and red eyes, and is most recognized by the signature red rash that spreads from head to toe.
The St. Charles County Department of Public Health is committed to the protection and enhancement of health and the quality of life for all members of our community. To learn how the department assists this region or to find out about volunteer opportunities with any of the divisions, please visit http://www.sccmo.org/PublicHealth or call 636-949-7400.
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