Published: Saturday, November 06, 2010, 6:24 AM
MOBILE, Ala. -- In the past week, staff from the Mobile County Health Department’s downtown location gave as many immunizations — more than 2,300 injections — as they would typically give in an average month.
The reason? Mobile public school students were told they could not return to classes after Oct. 31 if they did not have proof of up-to-date immunizations or a valid exemption.
"We were prepared," said Monica Knight, director of infectious diseases for the local Health Department. "It did not surprise us. When the kids aren’t allowed in school, it gets their attention."
On Monday, Mobile County public schools sent dozens of students home because they had no up-to-date immunization records, also known as blue cards.
In early August, school leaders and health officials began warning parents and caregivers that students risked removal from classes beginning Nov. 1 unless they received shots or provided proof of necessary vaccines.
Alabama law stipulates that children in day cares and Head Start programs, and students in public and private schools, must provide up-to-date immunization certificates, also known as blue cards, prior to enrollment.
Last year, Mobile County led the state by far in the number of students without blue cards on file. In August, an estimated 14,000 students either had expired blue cards or none at all, according to Mobile County Public School System Superintendent Roy Nichols.
This week, the Mobile County Health Department began offering no cost on-campus vaccine clinics at middle and high schools to help students comply with the new rule. At Citronelle High School, 41 students on Thursday received shots during such a clinic. There are about 800 students enrolled at the campus in north Mobile County.
Knight said the local Health Department called in part-time support staff this week, including nurses and clerks, to handle the extra caseload. On Monday, the first day after the school shots deadline, there were more than 500 people waiting to get needed vaccines when the Health Department opened at 7:30 a.m.
Between now and Dec. 17, Health Department officials plan to offer clinics at 34 additional middle and high schools in Mobile County. Parents and caregivers of elementary school students are required to take them to their pediatrician or other health care provider to get caught up with required immunizations, Knight said.
