Health Team
Wake County offers free vaccinations this week
Starting last year, children who turn 12 on or after Aug. 1 are required by the state to get the Tdap vaccine, a combination booster that protects against Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis or whooping cough.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County is trying to make getting required vaccinations an easy process for children and parents.
Wake County Human Services is providing free immunizations all week in locations across the county.
“A lot of parents aren't aware of the importance of getting this immunization, so we want to be proactive by having plenty of opportunities to get this immunization,” said Susan Krupa, a school-based public health nurse.
When a child begins kindergarten, schools require immunization records for 10 different diseases.
Starting last year, children who turn 12 on or after Aug. 1 are required by the state to get the Tdap vaccine, a combination booster that protects against Tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis or whooping cough.
Sixth-grader Anurupa Banerjee recently got the shot. She said she just wanted to get it over with.
“I had to think about it for a few weeks, and it sort of scared me because I thought it was going to hurt a lot, but it actually didn't,” Anurupa said.
School based nurses like Krupa offer the children a special "needleless" syringe - hoping to minimize the pain and anxiety many children feel. It worked for sixth grader Amani McKenzie.
“I thought it was gonna hurt a lot, like they were going to take a needle and jam it into my arm, but it didn't hurt that much,” Amani said.
The rising sixth graders are required to bring their immunization record when they report to school this fall.
Because this is a required vaccine, it doesn't cost anything for families. Children can get the shots at their local county health department or from a pediatrician.
Parents should bring their child’s shot records with them when they go to get the shots.
In Wake County, the vaccinations are being offered from 3 – 5 p.m. at the following locations this week:
- Wednesday, July 29: Northern Regional Ctr., 350 E. Holding Ave., Wake Forest
- Thursday July 30: Eastern Regional Center, 1002 Dogwood Dr., Zebulon
- Friday, July 31: Southern Regional Center, 130 North Judd Pkwy, Fuquay-Varina
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