Oswego County Offers Back-to-School Immunization Clinics

OSWEGO COUNTY – The Oswego County Health Department reminds residents of its immunization clinics to help families get ahead of the back-to-school rush. Weekly immunization clinics are held every Tuesday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Nick Sterio Public Health Center, located at 70 Bunner St., Oswego.

The health department also partners with local school districts to offer additional clinics for required school immunizations. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Aug. 11; noon to 3 p.m.; Hannibal High School, 928 Cayuga St., Hannibal.
• Thursday, Aug. 21; noon to 3 p.m.; Oswego High School Cafeteria, 2 Buccaneer Blvd., Oswego.

Additional weekday clinics will be added as needed. The health department will also host an immunization clinic on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Appointments are required for all clinics. To schedule, call the Oswego County Health Department’s Preventive Division at 315-349-3547 during office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please have health insurance information ready when making an appointment. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

According to New York State law, children must have the following age-appropriate immunizations to begin or continue attending day care, pre-K programs and school. The number of doses may vary based on the required vaccine schedule.

• diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTap or Tdap); measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; polio, and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines are required before starting kindergarten.
• DTap or Tdap vaccine is required again before entering sixth grade.
• meningitis vaccine is required before entering seventh grade, with a booster before entering 12th grade.

The health department now also offers the Penbraya vaccine, which includes the MenACWY and meningitis B vaccine in one dose. The MenACWY vaccine protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, and Y) that can cause meningitis and other serious illnesses. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will also be available at clinics to those aged 9 and older.

Parents should speak with their child’s primary health care provider or the health department about any questions they may have about which vaccines their child needs. OCHD can also provide parents with a free updated copy of their child’s immunization record upon request.

For more information, contact the Oswego County Health Department at 315-349-3547.

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