LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — With the Clark County School District set to begin classes Monday, thousands of Southern Nevada families are rushing to complete required vaccinations before the first day of school. Sunshine Valley Pediatrics said it is seeing upward of 60 families a day and is urging parents to call ahead.
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What vaccinations are required
To enroll in Clark County schools, students must be vaccinated against chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DTaP and Tdap), meningococcal disease (MenACWY), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
“They’re usually the DTAP, the polio, the MMR, and chicken pox,” said Dr. Wesley J. Robertson of Sunshine Valley Pediatrics.
Nevada also requires the meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) for students in public, private and charter schools entering seventh and 12th grade, as well as for students in grades 8 through 12 who are new to Nevada schools. The Tdap vaccine is required for students entering seventh grade and for students in grades 8 through 12 who are new to Nevada schools.
Families new to Nevada should note that hepatitis A vaccination is required for school enrollment, even if it was not required in their previous state.
Robertson said the meningitis and whooping cough vaccines are driving the biggest spike in patient volume.
“It’s always pretty overwhelming. We go from June, where we’re fairly slow, to seeing three times our normal numbers of patients the week before it starts,” Robertson said.
Additional information about enrollment and vaccination requirements is available through the Clark County School District at ccsd.net/enroll.
Sports physicals and EKGs
A new school year also brings physical exam requirements for student athletes. Robertson said annual physicals are critical for identifying underlying medical issues.
“I think the physical exam once a year is critical. We would like to have the children seen to basically make sure there’s no medical problems,” Robertson said.
Robertson also recommends EKGs alongside sports physicals, saying the test has identified hidden heart problems in children and can prevent serious illness or death.
The Southern Nevada Community Health Center is offering $20 sports physicals for children and teens. Appointments can be scheduled at healow.com.
Doctors urge families to call now
Robertson said families should not wait to schedule appointments.
“Well, the sooner they call to arrange everything, the better is the chance that we can accommodate it. So I’d get on the phone even, like, right now,” Robertson said.
For families without a primary care physician, the Southern Nevada Health District is operating multiple clinic locations with extended hours. Clinic locations and hours are available at SNHD.info/bts.
For those without insurance, a same-day self-pay discount can be applied. Vaccine costs vary based on the type of immunization required and eligibility. The health district charges a discounted administration fee of $22 per person for one vaccine and $15 for each additional vaccine.
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