El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Division is offering back-to-school immunizations for eligible children beginning school this fall.

Public health can provide all childhood vaccinations required for school entry, as well as vaccinations that are recommended to keep children healthy.

Schools are required to verify each child’s immunization record to make sure all shots and boosters are completed before entry to kindergarten and seventh grade. Kindergartners need a total of five DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), four polio, three hepatitis B, two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and one varicella (chickenpox) shot. In addition, since a new California law was signed in 2010, students entering seventh grade will need to show proof of the Tdap vaccine before starting school.

Parents who do not have a health care provider and wish to have their child vaccinated through a scheduled appointment at Public Health may call 530.573.3155 in South Lake Tahoe or 530.621.6100 in Placerville. Any child on Medi-Cal, or who is uninsured, is eligible for Public Health’s immunization services. A $10 administrative fee is charged per shot, though no child will be refused a vaccination due to inability to pay.

Parents are asked to bring their child’s immunization record.