OLS offers students new state-required immunizations

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas -- South Texas students can look to Operation Lone Star to ensure they are up-to-date on their required immunizations as they prepare for the start of a new school year. Texas added five vaccines to the list of shots required for the 2009-2010 school year, and all five and more are available at each of the Medical Innovative Readiness Training Team Sites hosted by Operation Lone Star. "We are offering all of the state-required vaccinations for the new school year at no charge," said Army 1st Lt. Debby Polozeck, officer in charge of the Raymondville MIRTTS immunization section. Texas' new requirements are the Menengococcal vaccine for students entering the seventh grade, the Vericella vaccine for students entering kindergarten and the seventh grade, the Tdap vaccine booster for students entering the seventh grade, and a two dose requirement of the MMR and Hepatitis A vaccines for students entering kindergarten. Operation Lone Star clinics are not just offering vaccines for children. Adults who come to the clinic can also receive their required vaccinations. "Actually, the majority of the customers we've seen so far are adults needing the Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis vaccine," said Polozeck. Customers taking advantage of the MIRTTS clinic can bring documentation of past immunizations, and the medical staff will determine which vaccines are needed. "It's a pretty smooth process," said Army Spc. Jolyn Demarest, immunization specialist. "After the customer is screened in the triage section, we prepare their vaccinations based on their screening." Once the immunizations have been administered, customers are asked to wait for 15 minutes to make sure there are no side effects before moving on to the next station, said Demarest. Immunizations are only one of the services being provided by the Operation Lone Star staff. For a full list of services and locations, visit "http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/"