Kids Health Fest today

For most children, it is a sad fact that the beginning of the new academic year goes hand-and-hand with school shots.

However, the Galveston County Health District hopes to change childhood experiences with back-to-school immunizations. The third annual Kids Health Fest, which kicks off today and runs through Aug. 19, offers children a dose of fun while doctors protect them against illnesses such as hepatitis and varicella. The event includes coloring contests and costumed characters and every child who receives a shot walks away with a prize.

“The county has always had a back-to-school immunization effort, but this event is a little more organized,” said Kurt Koopmann, a spokesperson for the county health district. “We want to make it easier for parents to get their children immunized for school because it is very important."

School shots cost $5 each and will be administered at two county locations, Koopmann said. A new law that goes into effective Sept. 1 will change the immunization requirements for children enrolled in child care centers and early childhood programs. These children will be required to get vaccinations for invasive pneumococcal and hepatitis A disease. The law also expanded immunizations for kindergarten through 11th grade students to include the hepatitis B vaccine. Varicella shots are also mandatory now for fifth grade students as well as those in the seventh through 11th grade.

“Immunizations tremendously cut down on childhood diseases and illnesses in general,” Koopmann said. “Vaccines not only protect the children, but people in the community who they come into contact with. That is why schools and the county emphasize the importance of proper immunizations.”

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month

What: Kids Health Fest.

When: Today through Aug. 19.

Where: 1207 Oak St. in La Marque and the Galveston Immunization Clinic in the Island Community Center at 4700 Broadway in Galveston.

INFO: For information about the Kids Health Fest, call (409) 938-2244.

Read the Press Release

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org