Free vaccinations, physicals at Lee County’s Back to School Rush

It is almost time to head back to school, and education officials want to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

With school a little over a week away, the School District of Lee County is partnering with the Florida Department of Health to host its “Back to School Rush” on Saturday.

Lee County schools and the health department are working to make sure students are vaccinated before they walk the halls. Students can get the immunizations, screenings and physicals they need to enroll and register for school.

It is for good reasons, as students without required vaccinations will not be able to get their school schedule. The District said the free service makes a significant difference.

“The students have got to have all of their immunizations and their forms filled out before they can start school,” said Rob Spicker, the assistant director to media relations and public information at the School District of Lee County. “We’ll average somewhere about 1%, maybe less than 1% that don’t get those forms signed.”

The District is encouraging incoming 7th graders and those 11 years of age who are required to get their Tdap shot at the back-to-school event. Tdap is a combination vaccine that protects against three potentially life-threatening bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.

“TDAP is appropriate for anyone 11 years,” Spicker said. “Even if they’re not going into the 7th grade, parents want to get a head start and get a jump on that vaccine just to get out of the way. It’s appropriate for an 11-year-old.”

The Florida Dept. of Health Lee County is located off Michigan Ave. in Fort Myers, while the Student Enrollment Office is on Colonial. Both locations are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For anyone who missed the event Saturday, the Florida Dept. of Health Lee County will extend its office hours from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14.