With the start of the 2022-23 school year about a month away — Monday, Aug. 15 — Fresno Unified wants to remind families of the importance of being up to date on regular school immunizations. All students entering school must meet state immunization requirements. Students entering kindergarten and seventh grade must provide proof of updated immunizations.
The district’s Health Services Department will host a free clinic at Tioga Middle School beginning Aug. 11 that will be open on school days from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The clinic is at Tioga Middle School, 3232 E. Fairmont Ave., in Room 36. Appointments must be made to utilize this clinic; no walk-ins. To make an appointment, call (559) 248-7157. The clinic is for those on Medi-Cal or who do not have insurance. Students with insurance should see their medical provider to obtain immunizations or call pharmacies that offer vaccines.
For kindergarten entry, all students are required to be up to date on vaccines against polio, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus (Dtap), mumps, measles and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, and varicella. All students entering seventh grade must show proof of current vaccination against pertussis (whooping cough) and have a second varicella immunization. The COVID-19 vaccine is NOT required at this time for students.
Guidelines for the Tioga clinic:
- Only one parent/legal guardiancan accompany student
- Parent/legal guardian and student will need to wear a mask
- Student mustbring current immunization record
- Student mustbring current Medi-Cal card if they have Medi-Cal insurance
- A student or accompanying adult should not attend if they feel sick or have any COVID-19 symptoms (cough, chills, fever, muscle and body aches, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, headache, repeated shaking/tremors, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or running nose, vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea)
“We invite parents to start thinking about immunizations now and make the necessary appointments with your health care provider. For our families without insurance or on Medi-Cal, please take advantage of the free immunization clinic at Tioga Middle School for a healthy start to the new school year,” said Superintendent Bob Nelson.