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With the first day of school approaching on Monday, Aug. 10, the Southern Nevada Health District is launching its “Ready, Set, School” campaign. Health officials are encouraging parents and guardians to schedule required school vaccinations immediately to avoid the late-summer rush. Immunization appointments are available at health district clinics across the Valley for students entering kindergarten, seventh grade and 12th grade. A limited supply of backpacks and school supplies will be distributed to children receiving vaccines at the clinics while supplies last.
“Vaccinations help protect children from serious illness and reduce the spread of disease in schools and communities,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer. “Scheduling appointments early can help families avoid the back-to-school rush and ensure students are ready for the first day of class.”
Understanding vaccine requirements
Clark County School District students are required to be immunized against a variety of illnesses before enrolling. Mandatory school vaccines for all students include chickenpox (varicella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (DTaP and Tdap), meningococcal disease (MenACWY) and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Families relocating from other states should note that the hepatitis A vaccination is mandatory for enrollment in Nevada, even if it was not required by their previous school district. Furthermore, Nevada requires the meningococcal vaccine for all public, private, and charter school students entering the seventh and 12th grades, as well as incoming students in grades eight through 12 who are new to the state. The Tdap vaccine is also required for all entering seventh graders and new-to-state students in grades eight through 12.
In addition to the mandatory immunizations, the health district offers and recommends several protective vaccines for pre-teens and teens. These include the meningitis B vaccine, which is recommended for teens ages 16 to 18 to protect against severe bacterial infections affecting the brain and spinal cord. The human papillomavirus vaccine is also recommended to protect against viruses linked to several types of cancer later in life, alongside updated COVID-19 doses to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Beyond vaccines: sports physicals and birth certificates
The health district is expanding its services this year to provide additional resources for school readiness. The Southern Nevada Community Health Center is hosting low-cost sports physicals for twenty dollars to help families prepare for school athletics and activities. While appointments are highly encouraged, limited walk-in slots may be available, and parents can schedule a session by calling (702) 759-1700. Additionally, new school registrations often require a certified birth certificate. The health district’s Vital Records office processes online orders for children born in Clark County, but parents are advised to order early as processing takes two to four weeks.
Clinic locations and special back-to-school hours
Appointments are required for back-to-school vaccinations for youth under 19 years of age and can be booked online at www.SNHD.info/bts or by calling (702) 759-0850. The health district has established regular and extended weekend and Friday hours across multiple locations to accommodate families.
The Main Public Health Center, located at 280 South Decatur Boulevard, operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., closing daily from noon to 1 p.m. It will offer special back-to-school hours on Friday, July 31 and Friday, August 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as Saturday, August 8 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The East Las Vegas Health Center at 2950 East Bonanza Road is regularly open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a daily closure from noon to 1 p.m. Its special back-to-school hours are scheduled for Monday, July 27, Monday, August 3, and Monday, August 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Henderson Public Health Center, located at 220 East Horizon Drive, Suite A, regular hours run Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended back-to-school hours on Friday, July 31 and Friday, August 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mesquite Public Health Center at 150 North Yucca Street operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closing from noon to 1 p.m., with appointments available during these regular hours throughout the summer.
Special adolescent clinics for ages 11 to 18
Targeted vaccination clinics for older students needing Tdap, MenACWY and HPV vaccines will be hosted at the Fremont Public Health Center, located at 2830 East Fremont Street. These special clinic sessions will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 28 through 30, August 4 and 5 and August 11.
Important rules for parents and guardians
To ensure a smooth clinic visit, families must follow specific guidelines. Parents must bring their child’s official immunization records to the appointment. If records are missing, Nevada residents can look them up online through the Nevada WebIZ portal or call (775) 684-5954. A parent or legal guardian must be physically present for any child under the age of 18. If a non-custodial adult brings the child, they must present written consent from the parent or guardian at the time of service and the parent must be reachable by phone to grant verbal authorization to the clinic nurse. Finally, most major insurance plans are accepted, but because vaccine coverage varies and administrative fees may apply, families should review their specific coverage details online before arriving.