Back-to-school immunization clinics go through Aug. 31

The annual “Got Shots?” immunization campaign is back to help parents get children ready for school.

Participating clinics and medical practices will provide no-cost, back-to-school immunizations through Aug. 31 for all children age 18 and younger regardless of whether they have insurance.

“I can’t say enough how successful vaccines have been over decades in greatly reducing once-devastating diseases in the U.S.,” New Mexico Department of Health Secretary Patrick Allen said in a news release last week. “The ‘Got Shots?’ campaign provides opportunities statewide for parents to bring their children for the vaccinations that safeguard their health and their families, too.”

In Tucumcari, vaccine providers include Quay County Public Health Office, Sunrise Medical Group, Quay County Family Health Center, Cross Arrow Medical Group and Trigg Memorial Hospital.

To find a clinic elsewhere, people can go to immunization.doh.nm.gov and click on the “Got Shots? Information” link.

Parents should call the clinic to check whether an appointment is needed. Parents need to bring their child’s shot records and Medicaid or private health insurance card if they have insurance, though immunizations are provided at no cost. No one will be turned away if they don’t have insurance.

The “Got Shots?” immunization campaign is organized by the New Mexico Immunization Coalition, which includes the New Mexico Primary Care Association and the Department of Health.

This year, 78 sites across New Mexico are participating in “Got Shots?”

The DOH provides immunizations at no cost year-round at public health clinics in every county for uninsured children. To find your local public health office visit nmhealth.org.

To know what vaccinations your child has received, go to VaxViewNM.org or call 1-833-882-6454. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday but is closed from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch. Customers may leave a voicemail to receive a call back.

Additional information about immunizations for children and adults are available on the DOH Immunization Program part of its website. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also provide Immunization Schedules for parents and healthcare providers at cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/.