CONTACT: Mary Skau
(775) 624-1776 | Mary@immunizenevada.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Ensure Your Child is Up-to-Date on Required Vaccines Using Nevada WebIZ

(July 11, 2017) — August is just a few weeks away, which means the new school year is just around the corner. While back-to-school preparations begin, the opportunity to ensure your child’s shot record is up-to-date is easy, and can be key to avoiding long immunization lines during the back to school rush.

For the first time, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, all Nevada public and private school students enrolling in 7th grade will be required to receive one dose of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4 or MenACWY). Additionally, all students enrolled as a freshman of a Nevada university, 23 years or younger, may not attend after September 1, 2017 without proof of meningococcal vaccination on or after age 16. This vaccine protects against four types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W, and Y).

If you are unsure if your child has received MCV4 and other required school immunizations, save yourself a trip to the healthcare provider or pharmacy by visiting Nevada WebIZ - Nevada’s Statewide Immunization Information System. The portal houses vaccination records and is updated whenever a vaccine is administered. The portal allows parents to enter basic identifying information about their child to view the record of vaccines that have been administered as well as which vaccines might be due. All recommended vaccines administered in Nevada must be reported to Nevada WebIZ. First-time users may need to contact the Nevada WebIZ help desk at 1-877-NV-WebIZ (877-689-3249) or email izit@health.nv.gov.

If your child requires vaccinations before they start school this August, visit us online, check out our calendar, and see what event location works best for you. Many events offer vaccines that are low or reduced cost using the Vaccines for Children Program.

Next Weekend’s Statewide Events:

• Desert View Hospital Back to School Fair – Pahrump, NV. Saturday, July 22, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., 360 S. Lola Lane, Pahrump, NV 89048
     o Offering immunizations, sports physicals, screenings, and more.
• COX Communications Back to School Fair – Las Vegas, NV. Saturday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Galleria Mall, 1300 W. Sunset Rd., Henderson, NV 89104
     o Immunizations available for purchase from Wal-Mart, first come first served for children ages 8-18. Some private insurance plans accepted, please bring your child’s immunization record and insurance card.
• Back 2 School Fair – Sparks, NV. Saturday, July 22, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Outlets at Legends, 1310 Scheels Drive, Sparks, NV 89434
     o Wal-Mart will be providing vaccination for free for those with insurance and reduced cost for non-insured.

Additional vaccination opportunities can be found on our community calendar. 
Vaccines protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.
Immunize Nevada is widely recognized as Nevada’s trusted resource for immunizations and community health for all ages by fostering education and statewide collaboration. Immunize Nevada’s vision is healthy communities across Nevada protected from vaccine-preventable disease. For more information, visit ImmunizeNevada.org.