OCHD: Get Kids Fully Vaccinated Before School Starts

Utica, NY (WIBX) -It’s almost time for kids to head back to school, and parents are getting a friendly reminder from the Oneida County Health Department about staying up-to-date with vaccinations.  OCHD, registered nurse, Marina Kistner says eight cases of “whooping cough” have been reported in Oneida County this year, making it especially important to get vaccinated against the disease:

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If left untreated, “whooping cough” also known as, Pertussis can lead to serious health problems, including pneumonia and death, and the most vulnerable among us are very young children.

Getting immunized against the disease, as the video below will show, is not as scary or painful as it may seem…

Kistner says by the time a child starts the 6th grade they’ll need the following shots:

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Kistner recommends kids get their shots sooner rather than later to avoid the back to school rush for appointments.

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NYS now requires parents and adults sign a registry to keep track of vaccination records. Kistner explains the new procedure in the video below:

The Health Department’s Immunization Clinics are held Monday and Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. From May – October clinic hours will be held ever first Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. For more information call (315) 798-5747.