With summer more than half over it won't be long until children are heading back off to school.
Health department officials are reminding parents that now is a good time to get your kids in for immunization shots.
Chillicothe resident Clint Forney usually makes appointments for his girls at the Peoria City/County health Department. Five year old Samantha will be starting kindergarten this year and Forney says bringing her to the health department for her school immunization is convenient.
"This is great for the immunization shots and sports stuff that we do. How many shot does your daughter have to have today? Three, she's not very excited about it," Forney said.
This is the first of several health department back to school immunization clinics. Parent Heather Fuehring says she appreciates the flexibility.
"This opportunity is great for us cause when you call the doctor they're like booked for weeks. So for the health department to have something like this where you know people can come in when they can't get into their doctor," said Peoria resident Heather Fuehring.
"We've encouraged people to get their back to school shots early in the year so they are prepared when the first day of school starts," said Peoria City/County Health Department spokeswoman Diana Scott.
Ten dollars does not seem like a lot for a school immunization, but under the current economic conditions many families can't afford it.
Another health care agency Methodist Medical Center is making sure people who don't have the money are not left out.
The hospital will provide immunization shots during a backpack giveaway Saturday morning at the Dream Center Peoria.
"We're prepared to hand out a lot of immunizations tomorrow and if we need to make appointments in our school health centers then we'll do that," said Methodist Director of Growth and Innovation Stacy Dejaynes.
Health officials say access to the immunization clinics will not be a problem...they're just hoping parents and children take advantage of early opportunities.
The Peoria City County Health Department will hold another back to school immunization clinic Tuesday evening from four until six.
Methodist will hold one during the Dream Center Peoria's backpack give away Saturday from nine a-m until noon.
Twitter
Connect With Us