It's important that children receive vaccinations to protect them against many diseases that are especially dangerous to young people. Just before school starts is the busiest time for vaccinations, but there is a need all year long--when parents are preparing to enter their children into day care, or preparing to have their children start school after moving here--to find clinics where children can receive their vaccinations even if the cost of seeing a private physician is prohibitive.
The Phoenix Fire Department sponsors such clinics through a program called Baby Shots. All immunizations through Baby Shots are free, and all immunizations required for daycare, HeadStart, preschool, elementary, and high school are offered to people from 6 weeks of age through 18 years of age.
Baby Shots protect protect your child against 13 serious childhood diseases:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella (German Measles)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus (Lockjaw)
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Polio
- Haemophilus Influenza Type B
- Pneumococcus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Rotavirus
Tips About Baby Shots
1. People are served in the order in which they arrive. Because the immunizations at Baby Shots clinics are free, there can be a fairly long wait time, especially in the month before school starts. Try to arrive early. It might take half an hour, an hour, or longer to get to see a nurse.2. From the time you are seen, it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the process and get the shots.
3. Bring water and reading material for yourself and the kids to help pass the time.
4. Make sure you bring up to date immunization records for your child. The better your documentation, the less time it will take to get your child the shots that are needed. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact previous vaccinators (county health departments, physicians, schools, daycare, etc.) to obtain duplicate copies of prior records.
You can find the dates and locations of immunization clinics near you at the Baby Shots web site, or you can call 602-534-BABY for more information.
