Henrico Schools, health department, clinics offer back to school vaccine events

Virginia requires students to be immunized against various illnesses to attend school, and Henrico County Public Schools and CrossOver Ministry are planning vaccination clinics this month to help streamline the process. The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts also are offering the vaccinations by appointment.

All students entering seventh and 12th grades are required to have the MenACWY vaccine, while those entering seventh also must have the Tdap vaccine. Another vaccine, to protect against human papillomavirus, or HPV, is given at the sole discretion of each parent or guardian.

The Henrico County Public Schools requires immunizations for students and has health information requirements for each grade level available at its health web page.

Only rising seventh and 12th grade students may receive vaccinations at the upcoming free HCPS summer clinics, regardless of insurance status, to be ready to enter class on the first day of school (Aug. 18).

All HCPS clinics take place from 9 am to noon at the following schools:

• Aug. 7: Elko Middle School, 9501 Elko Road. Register at this link.
• Aug. 12: Quioccasin Middle School, 9400 Quioccasin Road. Register at this link.
• Aug. 13: Henrico High School, 302 Azalea Avenue. Register at this link.

HCPS is encouraging registrations. Walk-ins will be accommodated based on vaccine availability.

Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring an insurance card if they have one, and parents and guardians should bring an ID. Parents and guardians also must complete a consent form for each participating student, either at the clinic location or ahead of time by downloading the form at the HPCS Health page by clicking “Immunization Documents.”

Parents and guardians also may schedule an appointment for their children's immunization at a Richmond and Henrico Health Department's clinic locations by calling (804) 205-3500.

Henrico Health Department West Clinic is located at 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Clinic hours are 8 am to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Henrico Health Department East Clinic is located at 1400 North Laburnum Avenue, with hours that run from 8 am to noon on Wednesdays.

Bilingual Spanish-speaking staff are available at all locations. The RHHD asks all participants to bring children's immunization records.

And CrossOver HealthCare Ministry also is hosting Back to School Vaccine Clinics on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Thursday, Aug. 14. at its clinic at 8600 Quioccasin Road in Henrico.

Vaccines are free for children in pre-K through 12th grade who have Medicaid or do not have health insurance. Parents and guardians can make required appointments by calling (804) 655-2794.

Children do not need to be current patients at CrossOver in order to register for the event, but patients must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The patient, parent or guardian should bring a photo ID, a current vaccine record, and a School Notice of Missing Vaccine, if available.

A full list of Virginia’s school enrollment health requirements can be found at the Virginia Department of Health website.

Dina Weinstein is the Citizen’s community vitality reporter and a Report for America corps member, covering housing, health and transportation. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.