With the new school year for the Clark County School District (CCSD) set to begin on Monday, August 11, the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is reminding parents and guardians to schedule their children’s required immunizations promptly. Appointments at Health District clinics and other healthcare providers tend to fill up quickly as the school year approaches.

Dr. Cassius Lockett, district health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District, emphasized the importance of timely vaccinations. “Getting your child vaccinated now helps ensure they are protected from serious diseases and ready for a healthy start to the school year,” said Dr. Lockett. “Don’t wait to vaccinate. Avoiding the last-minute rush can save families time and stress.”

CCSD mandates several vaccinations for school enrollment, including chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DTaP and Tdap), quadrivalent meningitis, and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR). Parents new to Nevada should note that hepatitis A is a state-required vaccine, which may differ from requirements in other states.

Specific grade-level requirements include:

12th graders: Must receive the meningococcal vaccine (MenACWY).

7th graders: Must receive both the MenACWY and Tdap vaccines.

Students new to Nevada schools in grades 8-12, including private or charter schools, must also fulfill these vaccine requirements.

For comprehensive information on required vaccinations, parents can visit CCSD’s Student Enrollment Process website.

Immunization Clinic Locations and Hours

Immunizations are available at the Health District location in Mesquite by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 759-0850 or visit www.snhd.info/bts.

Mesquite Public Health Center:

Address: 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.)

In addition to the mandatory vaccines, the Health District also offers recommended immunizations, such as:

Meningitis B (MenB): Recommended for ages 16-18; parents should consult with their healthcare provider regarding this rare but serious illness.

Human papillomavirus (HPV): A common virus that can lead to cancers later in life, affecting approximately 13 million people annually, including teens.

COVID-19: Updated vaccines are available to help prevent severe illness and hospitalization, as protection from COVID-19 vaccines can wane over time.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Immunization Clinic – Southern Nevada Health District website or call (702) 759-0850.

Important Information for Parents

Back-to-school appointments are for children and teens under 19 years of age and are by appointment only, with limited same-day availability.

A parent or legal guardian must be present for minors. If another adult brings the child, written consent from the parent/legal guardian is required.

Parents should bring their child’s immunization records. If records are unavailable, contact the child’s healthcare provider. For children immunized in Nevada, records can also be accessed through Nevada WebIZ at https://izrecord.nv.gov/public/Application/PublicPortal or by calling (775) 684-5954.

Most insurance plans are accepted, though vaccine costs vary and an administrative fee may apply. Not all immunizations are covered by all insurance plans.

For further details, visit www.snhd.info/bts.