SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (KFVS) – The Southern 7 Health Department is bringing back the Ice Cream for Vaccines program.
The program runs from June until December. Students 18 and younger who receive a state-required vaccination at a Southern 7 clinic will also get a coupon for free ice cream while supplies last.
Those can be redeemed at Dairy Queen in Anna or Vienna, or McDonald’s in Metropolis.
Nationwide, childhood vaccination rates are at their lowest in a decade, dropping from 95 percent to 93 percent.
The CDC reports the decline is mainly among children born during the pandemic.
With many of those children set to start kindergarten in 2025, parents are urged to get state law-required vaccinations for their child.
Southern 7 community outreach coordinator Shawnna Rhine said vaccine hesitancy is something she’s seen locally.
“We understand that families have hesitancy, you should have questions when it comes to your child’s care and their health, and so we are just recommending to families, talk with your health care provider, talk with people that you trust, make sure that you’re getting the information that you need.”
Rhine said the routine vaccinations most states require children to receive before hitting the classroom have been studied and proven effective against the viruses they target.
According to a release, certain vaccinations are required in Illinois for children enrolled in child care, Head Start, Pre-K, elementary and high school programs:
- MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella)
- Chicken Pox
- D-TaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis, or Whooping Cough)
- Hib (Haemophilus Influenza)
- Hepatitis A and B
- Polio
The following are recommended, but not required for school admission in Illinois:
- Flu
- COVID-19
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
Most routine vaccines are also covered by insurance.
Parents can set up an appointment for vaccination through Southern 7 or check on their child’s shot record by calling 618-634-2297, visiting southern7.org or downloading the Southern 7 app.
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