Get Healthy Carson City: Don’t wait to vaccinate

Beach blankets, sunblock and picnics are all part of summer. As July winds down and August approaches, thoughts of the school year return. It is not too early to check if your child may need vaccines before school starts. Do not wait until the last minute to find out what your child needs. Do not wait to vaccinate! If you do not have a written shot record, you can check your child’s immunization records from home. To begin, got to the Nevada WebIZ site at https://izrecord.nv.gov/. Fill out the requested information to get a record of what is available in the Statewide immunization registry. If you have questions about accessing an immunization record or need assistance, call the Help Desk at 775-684-5954 or email izit@health.nv.gov.

Vaccines keep us healthy and protect us from life-threatening diseases that can make kids of all ages very, very sick. No child should suffer from a preventable illness and keeping your family healthy is important. The Nevada Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program is available for children who may not have insurance to cover the cost of vaccines. There is no charge for the vaccines in this program. A vaccine administration fee cannot exceed $22.57 per vaccine. Under the VFC program, qualified children up to 18 years of age cannot be turned away for the inability to pay. If you meet one of the following requirements, your child is eligible for the VFC Program:

Medicaid eligible — a child who is eligible for the Medicaid program. For the purposes of the VFC program, the terms “Medicaid-eligible” and “Medicaid-enrolled” are equivalent and refer to children who have health insurance covered by a state Medicaid program.

Uninsured — a child who has no health insurance coverage.

American Indian or Alaska Native — as defined by the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).

Underinsured — a child has health insurance, but the insurance does note cover vaccines or does not cover certain vaccines.

Refer to the chart, which shows Nevada’s school-required vaccine schedule. The Community tab on the Immunize Nevada website (immunizenevada.org) is also a great resource to find out about the shots your child needs.

Carson City Health and Human Services is open every Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. on a walk-in basis for vaccines. Special Back to School Immunization Days will be held at Carson City Health and Human Services at 900 E. Long St. from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12 to 16 on a walk-in basis. We take Medicaid as well as most private insurance plans. You can also call for an appointment at the Carson City School-Based Health Center (open Tuesday and Thursdays), Nevada Health Centers or your child’s private doctor.

For resources and information about Carson City Health and Human Services programs and services, check out our website at www.gethealthycarsoncity.org, “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cchhs, follow us on Twitter at @CCHealthEd, call us at 775-887-2190 or visit us at 900 E. Long St. in Carson City.

This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages. It addresses topics related to the health of our community.