The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) will hold a vaccination clinic for rising seventh-grade students on Saturday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Broadway vaccination clinic, 4216 N. Broadway. No appointments required. Parents will have the opportunity to choose from several vaccinations at the clinic.
Although immunizations are required for students entering preschool, kindergarten and seventh grade, officials say many rising seventh grade students fall behind.
“This happens for several reasons, not the least of which is that kids tend to receive fewer annual checkups as they grow older,” said KCHD Nursing Director Dena Mashburn. “We wanted to offer this special clinic to help students get caught up on required and recommended vaccines and to offer the COVID-19 vaccine.”
Several vaccines recommended for this age group will be available at the clinic, including tetanus – diphtheria -acellular pertussis (Tdap), meningococcal and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine will also be available for students 12 years of age and older. As always, parents can discuss the options with KCHD team members and choose which vaccines their child receives at the clinic.
If families can’t attend the June 12 clinic, immunizations are available at area pediatrician offices and many local pharmacies. KCHD also provides vaccines at its main location, 140 Dameron Ave., and West Clinic, 1028 Old Cedar Bluff, by appointment. To make an appointment, call 865-215-5070.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and numerous other national medical organizations say immunizations are vital in protecting children from potentially serious diseases. The CDC estimates vaccination of children born between 1994 and 2018 will prevent more than 26 million hospitalizations, 936,000 deaths and save nearly $1.9 trillion in total societal costs. More information and recommendations for parents can be found at Healthychildren.org.
More information about childhood immunizations, including contact information for KCHD and a list of the recommended vaccinations by grade level, is available at knoxcounty.org/health.
