Passport to Immunizations and Health Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 29, 2012

Health screenings for kids will include oral screening and dental varnish, vision screenings, developmental screenings, fingerprinting, and vaccine records check. Face painting, family resources, entertainment including DJ Babychino, cultural performances, photos with Star Wars characters, and giveaways for children will be available (while supplies last).

Since 1994, NIIW promotes the benefits of immunizations, especially for children up to age three. Nevada continually lags behind the rest of the nation in its immunization rates for children between the ages of 19 months old and 36 months; the state is ranked 45th according to the most recent US National Immunization Mid-Year Survey for this age group. Immunizations are considered one of the most important public health advances of the past century and have reduced infant deaths and disability from preventable diseases in the United States.

Recently, several milestones have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide:

In 2012, many of today’s medical school graduates will never see a case of measles.
In 2010, CDC announced childhood immunization rates are at or near record highs.
In 2005, CDC announced rubella is no longer a major health threat to pregnant women or their unborn children, due to high vaccine coverage rates.

Throughout the year, special Shots 4 Tots immunization clinics are scheduled where no cost shots for children up to 36 months old are offered. Visit the health district website or contact the immunization clinic for dates.

The health district regularly offers immunizations at its public health centers. An administrative fee of $16 per child for one shot or $25 per child for two or more shots will be collected. Some vaccines might require an additional fee. Public health center locations and service hours:

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.
- Ravenholt Public Health Center, 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas, 89106
Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
- East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 570 N. Nellis Blvd., Ste. D-1 and E-12, Las Vegas, 89110
- Henderson Public Health Center, 520 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 89015
Tuesday & Thursday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. CLOSED for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.
- Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane, Mesquite 89027

Updated information about the Southern Nevada Health District can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, on YouTube www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict or Twitter www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo The health district is now available in Spanish on Twitter www.twitter.com/TuSNHD. Don’t have a Twitter account? Follow the health district on your phone by texting “follow SNHDinfo” to 40404.

Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.