New Hanover County to host back-to-school vaccine clinic Saturday

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - We don’t want to ruin your summer fun, but it’s time to start thinking about the to-do list before the kids go back to school.

In addition to school supplies, some students may need certain vaccine shots as well.

New Hanover County Health and Human Services is scheduled to host a back-to-school vaccine clinic on Saturday, July 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This event is open to all middle and high school students and some of the vaccinations will include TDap and Meningitis.

No appointment is necessary for this event, but parents must be present and have applicable insurance information available.

Although there are many who dread a visit to the doctor’s, the vaccines are necessary to protect your child and other students from preventable diseases, and they’re also mandatory to go to school.

For more information on required immunizations for students in New Hanover County, please visit the New Hanover County Schools website.

If a student fails to receive their mandatory shots, they can be removed from New Hanover County schools if they do not provide proof of immunization within 30 days of attendance.

“It’s never too early, you want to have them. You want to receive the vaccines prior to starting school so you won’t get those calls, you won’t get those letters. You know that your student is prepared for the upcoming school year,” said Panza McNeill, clinic services supervisor for New Hanover County Health and Human Services.

McNeill said that last year most people were struggling to find the vaccines because not all health clinics were able to get their hands on them in time for school. Many families from the surrounding area had to travel to New Hanover County to receive the necessary immunizations.

“Last year, we had a bit of a rush and there were delays on the arrival of vaccines within our county and other counties surrounding counties. So it was kind of like a scramble trying to find which health department had the vaccines and it was a lot of students and parents. So, we’re just being proactive so we won’t have that big rush at the last minute,” said McNeill.

The event will be held at NHC Health and Humans Services, located at 1650 Greenfield St. in Wilmington.

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