To help parents in Southwest Louisiana prepare their children for school and daycare this fall and to protect them from preventable diseases, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals – Office of Public Health, through its Shots for Tots program, is hosting back-to-school immunization events at parish health units and clinics throughout the area.
With these events, the Shots for Tots program continues toward its goal of having every child in Louisiana up-to-date on their immunizations. Last September a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report ranked Louisiana second in the nation in immunizing young children. The National Immunization Survey released by the CDC shows that 81.9 percent of Louisiana’s children aged 19-35 months that were born between 2005 and 2007 received all of their recommended vaccinations by age 24 months, exceeding the national average of 76.1 percent as well as the national goal of 80 percent. In 2006, the state’s immunization rate for infants was 69.5 percent, 44th among the states.
Immunization has proven to be a safe and effective way of preventing illness and death from many infectious diseases. The low cost and high effectiveness of vaccination ensure that every dollar spent on vaccination is repaid many times over because of reduced hospital costs, in addition to lives that remain productive.
Medicaid participants must bring their card in order to have Medicaid cover the cost. A flat rate of $10 will be charged for patients who fall into a fee paying category. Services will not be denied due to inability to pay. Parents are also asked to bring their child’s vaccination records.
The following health units in Southwest Louisiana will hold back-to-school events at the dates and times noted.
Allen Parish Health Unit
145 Hospital Drive
Oakdale, LA 71463
August 13, 2010, 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
August 18, 2010, 12:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
No appointment necessary.
318-335-1147
Calcasieu Parish Health Unit
3236 Kirkman Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601
August 13, 2010, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary.
337-478-6020
Jefferson Davis Parish Health Unit
403 Baker Street
Jennings, La 70546
July 29, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
August 9, 2010, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Please call for an appointment.
337-824-2193
Back-to-School immunization events are being hosted by the Cameron Parish Health Unit at the following locations. Appointments are necessary.
Hackberry Rural Health Clinic
1020 Main Street
Hackberry, La 70645
July 14, 2010, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Call for appointment
337-480-2582
Johnson Bayou Community Center
5556 Gulf Beach Highway
Johnson Bayou, La 70631
July 14, 2010, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Call for appointment.
337-480-2582
Grand Lake Fireman’s Center
963 Highway 384
Grand Lake, La 70607
July 27, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Call for an appointment.
337-480-2582
Cameron Parish Health Unit
107 Recreation Center Lane
Cameron, La 70631
August 3, 2010, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Call for an appointment.
337-480-2582
