Garrett County Health Department To Hold Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics

​The Garrett County Health Department reminds parents of the required vaccines for school students.

• A single dose of Tdap and Meningococcal vaccine is required for all students entering 7^th through 12^th
• Two doses of Varicella vaccine are required for students entering Kindergarten through 5^th

These requirements went into effect 2013 as per the Code of Maryland, COMAR 10.06.04.03.

They will hold two by-appointment immunization clinics for students in need of these vaccines for school entry. The first clinic is August 22^nd from 8:30 am to 4 pm at the health department location at 1025 Memorial Drive, Oakland. The second clinic is August 23 from 8:30 am to 4 pm at the Grantsville location at 28 Hershberger Lane, Grantsville.

Tdap, Meningococcal, and Varicella vaccine will be offered free of charge and there will be no administration fee. Parents are asked to bring a current copy of the student’s immunization record. To schedule an appointment at one of the clinics, please call 301-334-7770 or 301-895-5355.

Also available at these clinics will be Gardasil®, the Human Papillomavirus or HPV vaccine, to age-eligible students. HPV vaccine is recommended for girls 9 to 26 years of age and boys 9 to 21 years of age to help prevent certain cancers caused by HPV infection including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, oral, penile, and anal cancers. Gardasil® will be offered at no charge for Vaccines for Children eligible students which includes those who have Medicaid, are un-insured, or whose insurance does not pay for the vaccine. There will be an administration fee for these students. Students with commercial insurance should bring a valid insurance card so their insurance can be billed for Gardasil®.

For more information call the health department at 301-334-7770 or 301-895-5355.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department