Forsyth County Health Department Offers Required School Immunizations

By Staff
The Forsyth County Department of Public Health Immunization Clinic is offering school shots. Children entering kindergarten and the sixth grade need to get their school shots per the NC Immunization Law. Kindergarten students need a Dtap, Polio and MMR after their fourth birthday and prior to entering school. Those students entering sixth grade need a Tdap, but it is also a good time to receive the meningococcal vaccine which will be required for seventh graders next year.

Kindergarteners are also required by NC Law to have a physical no sooner than 12 months prior to the date of school entry. The health department has a limited number of appointments available for non-Medicaid, uninsured children. Call 336/703-3200 for appointment availability. Pediatricians get very busy with school physicals, so call soon for your appointment.

Children should have their immunizations up to date on the first day of school, and those that do not by the 30th day will be suspended. The health department and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have been working together to make parents and guardians aware of these requirements, and to decrease student suspensions for those failing to get their school shots.

Immunizations are important to protect your children against diseases that can be life threatening. It’s also important to vaccinate your children to help protect those who can not be vaccinated. “The diseases we vaccinate against still exist and the best protection is vaccination,” says Felicia Lovett, FCDPH Immunization Program Manager.

As the first day of school draws closer, the immunization clinic will get busier. The sooner you get your child vaccinated, the less likely you are to have to wait. Children are out of school, so now is the time to do it.

Come to Clinic 3 at the Forsyth County Department of Public Health at 799 N. Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, during the following hours:

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 8:30am-3:45pm
Thursday 9:30am-6:45pm
Friday 8:30am-11:45am
The immunization clinic is a walk in clinic and does not require appointments. Children with no insurance or Medicaid pay no out of pocket fee for immunizations. We do not accept credit cards or private insurance.