Families in the Hickman Mills and Center school districts are encouraged to set aside some time on Saturday, July 17, to get their children vaccinated and ready to return to school.
The Kansas City Health Department’s vaccine team will be at Smith Hale Middle School, 9010-A Old Santa Fe Road, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., providing regular vaccinations to children entering kindergarten and older grades, as well as COVID-19 vaccinations for children 12 years and older.
“Many children fell behind on the vaccinations during the pandemic, as clinics shifted their focus to COVID testing and vaccinations. We know appointments in doctor’s offices and clinics will fill quickly and the longer parents wait, the more difficult it will be to get on the schedule. Children will be sent home from school until they are current on their vaccinations,” said Tiffany Wilkinson, Communicable Disease Prevention and Public Health Preparedness division manager.
The health department is also encouraging anyone in Kansas City who has not been protected against COVID with one of the COVID vaccines, to come in so their bodies can begin building immunity to the persistent and dangerous coronavirus.
“For people who have been on the fence and wondering should I or shouldn’t I get the vaccine, now is a critical time for people to get fully vaccinated before this Delta variant kicks into high gear in this region,” said Frank Thompson, Kansas City Health Department deputy director. “In the last 30 days, cases in Kansas City have tripled, and hospitals and health care workers are once again concerned about how they will care for patients if cases continue to rise.”
Anyone 12 years and older is eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine, which requires a second dose three weeks after the first. The vaccine team will also have the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines available for people to choose from. Moderna is a two-dose vaccine, with the second dose needed after four weeks. Johnson and Johnson is a single-dose vaccination.
Health insurance is not required, but if you do have insurance, please bring your information to process an administration fee. There will be no cost to you. Appointments are not required.
Map applications on cell phones often misdirect people to the old Smith-Hale Middle School on Longview Road. If using a map app, please confirm that the final destination takes you to the school on Old Santa Fe Road and is not defaulting to the old school building via Raytown Road and Longview Road.
Media inquiries should be directed to Michelle Pekarsky, 816-719-3610 (cell). Follow the Health Department on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/