JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – –
As summer draws to an end and families prepare for the new school year, the Allergy and Immunizations clinics at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia are preparing children’s immune systems through vaccines.
According to the Virginia Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control websites, children are required to have a various number of vaccines at different age groups before the school year starts. Some immunizations are recommended for children, but are not required in order for them to enroll in public schools.
“This is our busiest time of year because kids require back-to-school shots,” said U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Adele Dailey-Thomas, 633rd Medical Operations Squadron Allergy and Immunizations Clinic noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “We process about 2,000 shots per month, so we’re doing everything in our power to make sure the children’s immune systems are as strong as possible before they go back to school.”
For parents unsure of whether to vaccinate their children against some infections or viruses, the staff at both Langley and Fort Eustis’ clinics are happy to provide information and guidance.
“We want to make sure parents are as informed as possible before we give vaccines, so we provide information from the CDC and the drug companies,” said Airman 1st Class Bobbi Doughtie, 633rd MDOS Allergy and Immunizations Clinic allergy and immunization technician. “We also educate parents on the possible risks their child could have if they don’t get the recommended and required immunizations.”
MacDonald Army Health Center’s Pediatric Clinic provides immunizations on a walk-in basis Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The Langley Hospital clinic provides vaccinations on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on required and suggested vaccinations, visit www.cdc.gov or http://www.vdh.virginia.gov.