Marshall County Health Department rewarding students at immunization clinic

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- Back to school season is right around the corner which means students from pre-K to 12th grade are getting their annual back to school check-ups at doctors' offices around the nation.

The Marshall County Health Department hosted their first immunization clinic, today, July 14th, and they are taking a different approach to the annual med-checks, by rewarding students with backpacks full of school supplies after they receive their shots.

This may be for the best as state data shows only 78% of Marhsall County kindergarteners meet immunization requirements, while only 57% of high school seniors meet the requirements, making them one of the lowest in the state.

Marshall County Health Center also finds it very important that the parents of these students have the proper knowledge to be able to decide what their kids need.

Marshall County Health Department Public Health Nurse Donna Durham says she tries to ease vaccine stress by educating each patient on their options.

“There’s, you know, some fear around vaccines, and it’s really just an education,” Durham said. “You know, this is what’s recommended; this is what the schools are requiring. We will educate you, whatever you need from us to make that best judgement call, and then we allow the parents to make that.”

If you missed today's clinic, there will be another one at 990 Illinois St., this Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. To 2 p.m.