With the new school year beginning on Monday, August 11, the Southern Nevada Health District urges parents and guardians to ensure their children are up-to-date on required immunizations. To avoid the last-minute rush, the health district recommends scheduling appointments now for kindergartners, seventh graders, and 12th graders. Parents can also seek vaccinations from their pediatrician or local pharmacy.

“Getting your child vaccinated before school starts helps ensure they’re protected from serious diseases and ready for a healthy year of learning,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, district health officer. “Don’t wait to vaccinate; scheduling early helps you avoid potential delays and last-minute stress.”

A limited number of backpacks and school supplies will be available at health district immunization clinics for students who receive their required school vaccinations early, while supplies last.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) mandates several vaccinations, including chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DTaP and Tdap), quadrivalent meningitis, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Nevada specifically requires the hepatitis A vaccination, which may be a new requirement for families relocating from other states. Additionally, students entering 12th grade in Nevada public, private, or charter schools must receive the meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY) before the school year. Seventh graders must also receive the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

For Mesquite residents, mandatory back-to-school vaccinations are available by appointment at the Mesquite Public Health Center

Location: 150 N. Yucca St., Mesquite, NV 89027

Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed from noon to 1 p.m.)

To make an appointment, call (702) 759-0850 or visit www.snhd.info/bts. Parents or guardians must be present for children under 18 and should bring the child’s immunization records.