Daily Sitka Sentinel

Young and Old Offered Free Vaccination Shots

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    The Sitka Health Center, along with state public health centers around the state, will waive administrative fees for vaccinations April 26 through May 3 in honor of National Infant Immunization Week.
    Since vaccinations themselves are free at public health centers, the waiver of the administrative fees means there will be no cost at all for getting immunized during that week.
    Ordinarily the administrative fee is $28 for the first shot, and $15 for additional shots on the same visit, the health center said.
    Penny Lehmann, Sitka public health nurse, said this is a perfect opportunity for soon-to-be kindergartners to update their vaccinations in order to be ready to start school in the fall, and save the administrative fee.
    Required vaccinations for kindergartners are for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT), polio and a combined measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) and varicella (chicken pox). Lehmann said the DPT and polio is a combined vaccine, for fewer needle sticks for the kids.
    “It’s a good time to make sure you and your family are up to date,” Lehmann said. “If you have any questions about whether you are up to date we can answer them.”
    She also encouraged adults to take advantage of the fee waiver to make sure they are current on their tetanus shots. The current tetanus vaccine includes pertussis (whooping cough) as well. The shingles vaccine is also available at the public health center for those 60 and older.
    The state Department of Health and Social Services said the purpose of waiving all administrative fees for adults and children during National Infant Immunization Week is to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. It also “celebrates the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities,” said Greg Wilkinson, DHSS spokesman.
    “Since 1994, this special week has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers and health care providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases,” he said.
    Lehmann encouraged all adults to be aware of the importance of their own immunizations.
    “It’s important for everyone to be up-to-date on immunizations because we rely on a high percentage of ‘community immunity’ that then protects the infants and anyone who can’t respond to a vaccine,” she said. “You’re also protecting anyone with problems with their immune system, your neighbor with cancer. ... It’s not just about you.”
    For a vaccination appointment call 747-3255.