Free varicella (chicken pox) vaccine given

A mass dispensing exercise will be held Aug. 7 from 2 p.m.–8 p.m. at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla at 1001 South Mack Drive.

Local public health nurses from MAT-SU Public Health Center with the state Department of Health and Social Services, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and many other agencies are sponsoring the event.

Parents will need to bring a shot record for each child. Children should wear short or loose-fitting sleeves. For the second shot to be effective, a three-month period needs to take place between varicella vaccines if a child has recently received one.

If your child’s first varicella vaccination was on or before May 14, 2009, he or she would be able to receive the second shot at this exercise.

Many children received a vaccine for chicken pox as a toddler. If so, a shot at this clinic would suffice as the second, required immunization.

If a child contracted chicken pox and a doctor completes a required medical exemption/disease history school form, school children do not require vaccination.

Public Health nurses can answer questions at 352-6600 M-F 8-5 p.m..

The exercise takes place the week of school registration. Mark the date — August 7, from 2–8 p.m.

For more information on the event, call Borough PIO Patty Sullivan 745-9477 or PIO Carol Vardeman 745-9687.

Photo: A family attending a mass dispensing drill two years ago for flu shots.