“California school law requires that kindergartners need to show proof of 4 Polio and 5DtaP at any age, 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and 1 Varicella vaccine,” stated Nancy Bancroft, Immunization Coordinator for the HSA. “Seventh graders will need to show proof of 2 MMR, 3 Hepatitis B and a Td booster.

Vaccinations are not only important for health reasons, but children might be barred from attending classes if their vaccinations are not up-to-date.

“If parents wait too long, a child might be told to stay home from school until they get their shots completed,” continued Bancroft.

HSA staff recommend parents check their child's immunization records now and get shots needed for school.

The Stanislaus County Public Health Department will do a free assessment of your child’s immunization records to see if they are up-to-date. Parents can call (209) 558-4818 and the immunization clerk or a Public Health Nurse can tell them over the phone if their child needs more shots. Or, if parents bring the immunization records, they can walk into the health department for the assessment Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 820 Scenic Drive in Modesto.

The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency (HSA) is an outpatient medical system with 9 medical offices located throughout Stanislaus County. The HSA operates the Public Health Department, an Urgent Care Center and multiple programs serving over 500,000 patients and clients each year in Stanislaus County. The HSA has extensive community health information available at its web site www.hsahealth.org