July - August 2009
New State-mandated Immunizations Required for Thousands of Local Students
With less than six weeks left of summer vacation, parents need to prepare now for their youngsters return to school. New state-mandated immunizations will affect up to 50,000 local students and possibly more depending on new arrivals to the area.
Parents should make appointments with their child’s primary care physician as soon as possible to avoid scheduling conflicts towards the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.New vaccination requirements are effective on August 1 and are as follows:
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine:
Two (or a second) doses for students entering kindergarten and 7th grade; students entering grades 1 through 6 and 8 through 12 must continue to meet the current requirementMeningococcal Vaccine:
One dose for students entering 7th gradeTetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap):
One dose for students entering 7th grade who have not had a Td containing booster within the last 5 years; students entering grades 8 through 12 must have a booster if it has been 10 years since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccineHepatitis A Vaccine:
Two doses for students entering kindergarten (currently required for Bexar and other select counties, but now required statewide)Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine:
Two doses for students entering kindergarten; grades 1 – 12 must meet the current requirement, which is two doses of a measles-containing vaccine and one dose each of the mumps and rubella vaccineIn addition to the expanded vaccinations, students need to be current on previously required immunizations.
Along with updating vaccinations, youngsters should receive their annual well-child checkup. Parents also are reminded to:
Take the most recent shot record to the appointment.
Have valid or current Medicaid or CHIP information, cash or insurance information.
Bring a letter from the school nurse, if you received one. School districts will be stringent on immunization status for school entry.
Tell the physician or medical clinic about any medical condition or illness affecting your child.
Inform the physician or medical clinic of any reaction to medications, food, or any vaccine your child has experienced.
Ask about the Tdap, meningococcal and HPV vaccines for college-bound students.New arrivals to Bexar County who do not have their immunization records or who want to ensure their current immunizations match the local requirements may call the Immunizations Division at 207-8894 for guidance.
Metro Health clinics are available to assist families who do not have a personal physician or are in need of services. Call the Immunization Division to make an appointment as early as possible.
Metro Health and several community partners will hold back-to-school immunization clinics as the beginning of school year draws near. However, families seeking these services should be prepared for long lines and wait times.
In the Community
Metro Health team members joined other members of the City Volunteer Corp for the 2nd Annual Pet Spa Day at Animal Care Services this spring. The volunteers bathed dogs and prepared pets for adoption. They also planted trees, painted, and performed other 'home improvement' tasks for ACS' one-year old facility. Thanks team for your
time and concern for our
four-legged friends!
Featured Employee
Erica Haller Stevenson is a
Senior Management Analyst with the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio program and the braintrust behind our new newsletter name. Meet Erica...
Did you know...?
Metro Health produced its inaugural annual report for fiscal year
2007-2008. The publication highlights the department's programs, services and accomplishments.
Metro Health has an Advisory Board of Health which advises and makes recommendations on the health functions of the department to the Director of Health and the governing bodies of the City and County.
Current ABOH members include...
Metro Health routinely hosts medical students for public health clinical rotations. Meet the current visitors from the Netherlands.
In the News
New food handler rules take effect in January 2010.
Read more or watch the KENS 5 video
New weight gain guidelines for pregnant women. Read more...
Snapshot of Health
Congratulations to
Executive
Secretary Theresa (Tessie) Medina, a role model for a healthy pregnancy and weight gain. Tessie gave birth to her second child, Madeleine Nicole, on June 9.
20-inch long Madeleine weighed
8 lbs. and 4 oz.
Healthy Link
Join Metro Health for a two-day comprehensive conference.
The Changing Face of STIs, HIV & TB:
Issues from a Clinical, Behavioral and Partner Services viewpoint.
September 17-18
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn, 318 W. Durango
More info here...
The Health Collaborative, in
partnership with the San Antonio Zoo, will host a Fitness Safari on
Friday, July 17 from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All children visiting the zoo during the safari can participate in nine fitness activities that relate to fitness attributes of certain animals.
Children receive a token after completing each activity. Youngsters with five or more tokens can redeem them for a fitness-related toy.
Dedication on Display
Assistant Social Services Manager Yolanda Alvarado retired after three decades of service to the WIC program. She and several of Metro Health's team members are living proof that public health is
not just a job, it's a commitment.
Read more...
The Artwork
In 2007, the Steps to a Healthier San Antonio Program (Steps-SA), in collaboration with San Antonio ISD and the Southwest School of Art and Craft, presented "A Healthy Community Through the Eyes of a Child" in which children from local schools expressed their creative vision of health
concerns and issues affecting their community through the use of art.