Northeast News
August 2, 2014

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services wants ti remind parents to prepare for the upcoming school year by getting their children’s annual physical and required immunizations.

Missouri law requires children entering kindergarten through 12th grade to receive immunizations to protect against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. This helps protect everyone including students, teachers, staff and other community members. Gail Vasterling, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, said in a press release that immunizations are proven to be one of the most successful and cost-effective ways to prevent serious diseases.

The following immunizations or booster shots are required for children:

-DTaP – Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis or DT – diphtheria and tetanus
-Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (required for 8th – 12th grade)
-IPV – Polio
-Hepatitis B
-MMR- Measles, mumps, rubella; and
-Varicella – Chickenpox

For families with health insurance, all vaccines are usually covered. Children 18 and under may be eligible to get vaccines free through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program if they are Medicaid eligible, do not have health insurance, underinsured or are an American Indian or Alaskan Native. Doctors can charge a fee to give each vaccine. However, VFC program funded vaccines cannot be denied to an eligible child if the family cannot afford the fee. Contact your health care provider to ensure your child is up to date on immunizations. For more information visit www.health.mo.gov/immunizations or contact your local public health agency.