By July 1, when a new state law takes effect requiring proof of vaccination for all students entering grades seven through 12, nearly all of the approximately 600 California Rite Aid locations will be able to vaccinate walk-in patients or by appointment.
Rite Aid also is:
Participating in the California Immunization Registry by providing and signing any required documentation needed by the school district, including what is sometimes referred to as the yellow card, at all stores as well as updating the online registry that many schools can access.
Issuing a Rite Aid immunization card for the wallet.
Issuing proof of past whooping cough vaccinations at any Rite Aid location that fulfill the new law (any booster issued after age 7 is acceptable)
Parents wishing to get their children vaccinated are encouraged to call ahead, although walk-in immunizations are typically taken for this and other vaccines.
Parents and other caregivers – including seniors, the newest recommended age group – are also urged to get a whooping cough booster to help safeguard children not yet fully vaccinated.
In 2010, 10 infants died in California from whooping cough. Despite historically high vaccination rates among the young, The California Department of Public Health warns that vaccination rates remain low for adolescents and adults.
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection that can cause serious illness and death. The CDC says about half of infants less than a year of age who get the disease must be hospitalized.
For more information on vaccines at Rite Aid, visit www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/immunization/.
For more information on whooping cough or the California law requiring school children to get protection against it, visit www.shotsforschool.org.
“Freedom from Smoking,” the leading smoking cessation program in the United States for over 25 years, shows participants how to quit smoking for good in a supportive setting.
The classes are free to Lake County residents and are offered in Lakeport.
The Lakeport classes will take place at Lake Family Resource Center, 896 Lakeport Blvd.; the building is located at the left end of the bowling alley shopping center .
Classes will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Participants meet weekly with a small group of people so everyone attending gets personal attention.
No two smokers are alike, so the program helps everyone create their own quit plan.
Because support of others is important while quitting, being with a group who understands the challenges of quitting helps at a time when support is most needed.
You can be smoke-free before the summer starts. Millions of people have already quit. You can, too. Lake Family Resource Center looks forward to helping you achieve your goals.
For more information, and to register for the classes call Glenn Koeppel at Lake Family Resource Center, 707-262-1379, Extension 113, email
Preregistration is not required – drop-ins are always welcome.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at United Christian Parish, Eighth and Brush streets. Registration starts at 9:30.
The suggested donation of $5 includes lunch and workshops on the Fourth Step, Al-Anon tools and detachment.
Speakers will include Don P. of Healdsburg and Gale T. of Lake County.
There also will be raffle prizes.
All attending are asked to please bring a dessert.
District 2 events abide by the NCWSA requirements for Alateen member safety.
For more information contact Laurie McG at 707-263-4874 or Sue K. at 707-263-7236.
In an attempt to keep students and their families safe, California recently passed a law requiring the additional vaccination.
Parents of students currently enrolled in sixth to eleventh grade should bring documentation of the Tdap immunization to their child’s current school office as soon as possible.
Students who have do not have proof of this booster shot on file with the school prior to the beginning of the school year will not be allowed to enter classes.
Students should contact their doctor to schedule an appointment sooner rather than later, because in August when thousands of students realize they are not allowed to begin school, medical offices are likely to be overrun by parents trying to get their children in.
At Mendocino Community Health Clinic, parents can make an appointment for their child's annual physical and the pertussis vaccination can be included as part of the visit.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes uncontrollable coughing which makes it hard to breathe. It can be severe and last for months. The immunity received from either early childhood immunization or pertussis disease wears off over time, leaving older students and adults susceptible again to pertussis.
Immunization with Tdap can protect students, schools and communities against pertussis.
For detailed information about immunization requirements, visit www.shotsforschool.org or call the school where the student is currently enrolled.