Free immunizations for kids offered Saturday

Babies need to have five shots before they turn 2 years old to protect them from serious diseases, medical authorities say.

But only one in four children in Nevada is immunized against diseases such as polio, measles and mumps.

"Nevada ranks as one of the lowest in the nation for children who are properly immunized," said Pamela Andres, project director for the National Hospital Association.

The state hospital association is in the midst of Childhood Immunization Week, which wraps up Saturday with a free clinic in Carson City. Children should have 13 different immunizations before they turn five, but often parents will stop bringing their children for the shots.

"We're targeting the low income and uninsured because often they're the ones who drop off the most," Andres said. "Our goals are to educate parents on the importance of immunization, raise awareness throughout the state and to provide free shots to children in need."

The Carson clinic will be held at the Carson Mall, 1313 S. Carson St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free immunizations for 11 different, preventable diseases will be given. Immunizations will be offered for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), hib meningitis, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox) and influenza.

Interpreters will be provided for non-English speaking parents. Last year, 716 children received 1,968 vaccinations at 20 statewide clinics, Andres said.

She said while bringing immunization records was not necessary, they would be helpful to the volunteers staffing the event. Immunizations will also be available for adults.

Educational materials will be provided as well as gift bags for children.

Carson-Tahoe Hospital and HealthSmart are sponsoring the clinic.

Call 885-1728.

If you go:

What: Nevada Childhood Immunization Week Clinic

When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Carson Mall, 1313 S. Carson St.

Call Kathy Loomis at 885-1728 for information.