Breckinridge County Health Department reminds families of the importance of immunizations ahead of new school year

The start of the school year is just around the corner, and the Breckinridge County Health Department is reminding parents that now is a good time to make sure your child is up to date on their immunizations. “We look at it more as a precautionary thing, you know, proactive as opposed to reactive,” said BCHD Public Health Director Scott Shrewsbury. “There are a number of different diseases and viruses and things of that nature that are out there that we want to try to get ahead of and try to protect our kids as much as possible, as well as protect our community.” Shrewsbury said the health department understands and respects families may have religious or medical-related exemptions, but they encourage those that can to stay up to date on immunizations to best protect the community. The health department’s Facebook page has a table listing the benchmarks for vaccines at ages 3, 4, 5, 11 to 12, and 16 based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Contact the health department to schedule an appointment. “I just wish everybody to have a safe and healthy school year, and I’m looking forward to getting the school year started,” Shrewsbury said. “I realize the children may not be just yet, but we just want to make sure that we keep our community as safe and healthy as possible.” Contact your primary care provider for more information on immunizations.