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“At LaSalle we know how important childhood immunizations are to parents, schools and children’s health. With most Inland Empire children starting school in only a few weeks, a delay could result in children missing school,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.

“For families with no insurance, LaSalle Medical Associates offers immunizations for free through the California Vaccines for Children program.”

(San Bernardino, Calif.) – August is the month many Inland Empire children head back to school. Many of them, especially in grades 7-12, need to make sure they have all the necessary back-to-school immunizations.

At LaSalle Medical Associates children can get their vaccinations for free, often the same day.

“At LaSalle we know how important childhood immunizations are to parents, schools and children’s health.  With most Inland Empire children starting school in only a few weeks, a delay could result in children missing school,” said Dr. Albert Arteaga, president of LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc.

Dr. Arteaga urges parents to schedule appointments for their child’s back-to-school examinations as soon as possible with a letter to all parents served by their four clinics in Fontana, San Bernardino and Hesperia.

“I received a letter from LaSalle reminding me to bring in my children for their annual check ups and immunizations.  I called at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning to get an appointment for 2 p.m. the same day,” said Malaika Jacocks.  “We lost our shot record and the nurse gave us certified copies for the school – without being asked, she was so nice.”

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) encourages all parents to have their children immunized.  According CDPH:

• Children need immunizations (shots) to protect them from certain dangerous childhood diseases. Without immunizations, your child can get these diseases – some of which have no cure.

• When you get your children fully immunized, you are giving them the best protection against these diseases. Getting immunized also helps protect your community.

• Diseases spread more easily from person to person if people don’t have all their shots.

“Children in families who receive Medi-Cal will not be charged for school vaccines,” Dr. Arteaga said. “And for families with no insurance, we can offer this immunization for free through the California Vaccines for Children program.”

The California Vaccines for Children program is a federally funded program.

The state of California requires that all children in grades 7-12 be immunized against whooping cough, also known as pertussis.  Before starting classes, children in these grades must show proof of having been immunized after their 10^th birthday.

“Most children are immunized against pertussis before they started kindergarten,” said Dr. Arteaga. “But the immunization weakens over time, so the new law makes sure adolescents are still adequately protected against this disease.”

This state law came after an epidemic of pertussis cases in 2010, affecting more than 9,000 people and causing 10 deaths, including two infants in San Bernardino County. Pertussis epidemics affected many states in 2012 and California rates appear to be higher than usual again in 2013.

Vaccinating older children not only keeps them healthy, but also prevents the disease from spreading from adolescents to infants and preschoolers, who are at greater risk of serious complications.

Children starting kindergarten also need immunizations, including a pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria vaccine designed for young children called DTaP. They also need proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis and Varicella (chicken pox.)

“If parents have kept up with their child’s immunizations from birth, only booster immunizations are needed for kindergarteners,” Dr. Arteaga said. “However, if the child is behind on their other required immunizations, they may need several doses of immunizations to get caught up.”

The LaSalle Medical Associates clinics are at:

• 17577 Arrow Boulevard in Fontana – Click here for Map to Fontana Clinic
• 1505 West 17th Street – Click here for Map to San Bernardino (17th Street) Clinic
• 565 N. Mount Vernon Avenue – Click here for Map to San Bernardino (Mt. Vernon Ave.) Clinic
• 16455 Main Street in Hesperia – Click here for Map to Hesperia Clinic

For additional information about LaSalle Medical Associates, call (909) 890-0407.

About LaSalle Medical Associates

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., operates four clinics employing more than 120 dedicated healthcare professionals, treating children, adults, and seniors in San Bernardino County. LaSalle’s patients are primarily served by Medi-Cal and they also accept Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Molina, Care 1st, Health Net and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). LaSalle’s clinics are at 17577 Arrow Blvd. in Fontana, 16455 Main St. in Hesperia and 1505 West 17th St. and 565 N. Mt. Vernon Ave. in San Bernardino.

LaSalle Medical Associates, Inc., is also an Independent Practice Association (IPA) of independently contracted doctors, hospitals and clinics, delivering high quality care to more than 245,000 patients in Fresno, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Joaquin and Tulare Counties.

LaSalle’s IPA members in the Inland Empire include: LaSalle Medical Associates, Arrowhead Orthopedics, Arther Medical Group, Rancho Medical Group, Rancho Paseo Medical Group, Alessandro Medical Group Banning Medical Group, and San Bernardino Urological Associates. Hospital affiliations include: Rancho Springs Medical Center, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, Community Hospital of San Bernardino, St. Bernadine Medical Center, Mountains Community Hospital, Redland Community Hospital, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Corona Regional Medical Center, Riverside County Medical Center, Parkview Community Hospital.

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