Should You Get Your Kids Vaccinated?

Do you believe in getting your kids vaccinated?  Effective October of last year a new Montana law requiring vaccinations for varicella, better known as chickenpox, took effect along with a new requirement for pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.

RiverStone Health, in cooperation with School District 2, will hold four immunization clinics at Billings Public Schools to help students get the required vaccination.

About 2,000 School District 2 students failed to be immunized by the deadline last fall, according to School District 2.

An estimated 1,200 high school students in Billings Public Schools still do not have the required vaccinations.

Students in K-12 need two doses of the varicella vaccine.

Students in grades 7-12 are required to have one dose of pertussis vaccine.

The vaccination clinics are as follows:

• West High School, Thursday, January 21, from 8-11 a.m., in the Auditorium
• Skyview High School, Tuesday, January 26, from 8-11 a.m., in the Activities Area
• Senior High School, Thursday, February 4, from 8-11 a.m., in the Library Reference Room
• Career Center, Tuesday, February 9, from 8-11 a.m., in the Library.

The School District has sent letters and automated phone messages to notify parents of students who need the vaccinations.

Parents or guardians, who have returned information and consent forms to their schools and provided insurance information, need not be present during the clinics.

Students who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover immunizations should see their school’s principal.

On a final note, no child will be denied vaccine due to inability to pay.