MILWAUKEE — City leaders have announced four additional immunization clinics to ensure that all families are up to date on their vaccines. The clinics will offer required vaccines such as MMR, DTaP, and varicella, as well as seasonal like COVID-19 and flu shots.
The clinics will primarily serve children who are underinsured or on Medicaid.
The four additional locations and dates:
Friday, October 3 – Northwest Health Center, 3–6 p.m.
Saturday, October 4 – Southside Health Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Friday, October 10 – Southside Health Center, 3–6 p.m.
Saturday, October 11 – Northwest Health Center, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The walk-in clinics are taking place with evening and weekend hours during “Exclusion Week,” when schools notify families if any vaccines are missing.
The week is a part of an “exclusionary process” in which children who are not up to date on vaccines and do not have a waiver may be asked to stay home from school.
According to City of Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis, State health department records show around only 56% of MPS kindergarteners had the MMR vaccine last school year, and for children under the age of two, only 65% are up to date on their childhood immunizations.
What to do if your family recieves a letter?
“When you actually get a exclusion letter, you’ll have an understanding of what required vaccinations you might not be up to date on. You’re actually going to go and make a plan to get vaccinated, whether that’s here at a clinic or through your pediatrician.,” says Totoraitis. “These vaccinations, which have been around for many years, are safe and effective ways to keep our kids in the classroom.”
