Free Vaccinations At Back-To-School Fairs

Vaccinations are one of the key ways to keep children healthy as they return back to school after summer vacation. For students in New Tampa’s 12 Hillsborough County public schools, they’re also required, and Florida Health Hillsborough County is hosting several events that will provide free immunizations and physicals.

According to Florida Health, the Back to School Coalition of Hillsborough County was set to host five free back-to-school fairs in August, leading up to the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25. Although three of the fairs already had passed as we went to press with this issue, two fairs are being held on Saturday, August 22. The first begins at 8 a.m. at Leto High (4409 W. Sligh Ave.) and the second begins at 9 a.m. at Middleton High (4801 N. 22 St.). Both fairs run until 1 p.m.

Although appointments are required for the Middleton fair, parents can bring their students to the Leto fair without an appointment. The Florida Health press release says that the best time to arrive is around 10:30 a.m.

Parents or legal guardians must accompany students at all times and immunization records are required for free shots.

The Florida Health press release urges parents of school-aged children —  especially those entering kindergarten and those entering the seventh grade —to review their children’s immunization records to ensure they have all of the vaccinations they need for the upcoming school year. College age students also need to make sure their immunizations are up to date.

According to Florida Health, vaccines help children develop immunities to infectious diseases, including measles, polio and whooping cough, as they enable the body to recognize and fight preventable diseases. In the U.S., vaccination programs have eliminated or significantly reduced many vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines not only benefit individuals, but also other members of the community who cannot be vaccinated.

Florida participates in the “Vaccines for Children” program, a federally funded, no-cost immunization program. The program provides vaccines to eligible children up to 18 years of age, at no cost to parents or guardians.

For additional information regarding the “Vaccines for Children” program and eligibility requirements, as well as vaccination schedules, visit ImmunizeFlorida.org. For more info about appointments to either of the remaining back-to-school fairs, call 443-3048.