THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 24, 1995 TAG: 9508220106
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
With the first day of school less than two weeks away, Norfolk public health officials are urging parents not to wait until the last minute to get their children immunized at one of five free walk-in clinics.
If parents put it off until the last minute, they'll most likely experience long waits and may even run the risk of not getting in at all.
``We do hit our capacity the week or so before school starts and the first few weeks of school,'' said Ann Marie Deel, nursing supervisor at The Little Creek Immunization Clinic on Sewells Point Road. ``We're overrun at that time last minute. They should make plans to get their children in as soon as possible.''
The immunizations are offered free to all children under the age of 18. Adults and college-age students will be immunized at the clinics, but a fee will be charged. No appointments are necessary, but service is on a first-come basis.
``We can handle at least 100 people a day,'' explained Deel. ``But remember, some of these children aren't just getting one immunization at a time. They may be getting two, three or four. So the waits can be long.''
Although public health officials ask parents to take their children to the clinic closest to their home, they can go to any one they wish. Residents in other area cities may use the clinics, too, but free immunizations are available in other Hampton Roads cities as well.
Immunizations are required for all children enrolling Norfolk public schools. They should have shots at birth, two months of age, four months, six months, 15 months and at the start of kindergarten. All shots are available at the public health clinics.
Three years ago, new immunization requirements added an additional shot of protection against measles, mumps and rubella for children entering kindergarten. Those children who entered school prior to that are now required to have that immunization before entering sixth grade. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICS
The public health department's clinics are held at the following
locations and times:
Norfolk Public Health Department, 401 Colley Ave., 683-2718. The
hours are 2 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Little Creek Immunization Clinic, 7665 Sewells Point Creek Rd.,
531-2130. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Park Place Health Care, 606 W. 29th St., 683-9230. Hours are 8:30
to 11 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Huntersville Child Health Clinic, 850 Goff St., 683-9270. Hours
are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Berkley Neighborhood Center, 925 S. Main St., 494-2471. Hours are
from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday.
Each year, some 29,513 children are immunized at the Norfolk
clinics.
by CNB