DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Immunization of students before school has historically been a major issue, especially in Dallas ISD.
It’s expected to be even more difficult this coming school year, so Dallas County Health and Human Services held a special event Friday night.
With many area school districts returning to or nearing full capacity for the first time in three years, Dallas County wants to make sure that COVID isn’t the only disease students are protected from.
Parents lined up at Bachman Lake Recreation Center to get their children’s necessary vaccinations with the first day of school just days away. Many of them were immigrant families who said they wanted to beat the rush to get vaccinations.
“It was a very simple process,” said one parent. “[The kids] they are very necessary [they] don’t get any complications or any diseases.”
Hosted by DCHHS and the Dallas Police Department, this school event offered 16 different immunizations, including those required to attend public schools.
Some students received free gifts and school supplies, but the focus was on vaccinations.
Health officials worry that later this summer there will be an unprecedented number of families looking to get the shots after so many students went without them two years in a row.
“We actually served about 14 families, which is a very good result today,” said Armando Martinez of DCHHS. “Don’t wait until the last minute, because if you wait until the last minute, it’s going to take a while and it’s going to delay the process of getting your kids to school.”
