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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2015)
Page 4 August 12, 2015 Free Vaccines for Clark County Students Youth under the age of 19 are able to get free immunizations to keep themselves up to date and healthy for the approaching school year. All vaccines required to enroll in school in the State of Washington are free, though some administrators may charge a small administrative fee, which can be waived for low-income families who ask. Vaccinations protect children from many serious dis- eases and are required for most students entering various grade levels. Sometimes, the cost of immunization can be prohibitive, but Clark County students can go to a number of clinics and receive them free of charge. Part of the push for wide- spread immunization comes after Clark County experienced a large whooping couch outbreak in 2015, with 259 cases as of late July, compared with only 25 cases by this time last year. “We’re starting to see fewer new cases now school is out and kids aren’t spending as much time in close contact,” said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer. “However, we’re concerned that this potentially se- rious disease could make a come- back in the fall, after school starts. My message to parents is to please make sure your kids are current on their whooping cough vaccines Children require immunizations to enroll in Washington schools and this year they’re being offered free of charge to families in need. and all other recommended vac- required to stay current on their or personal reasons. Clark Coun- cines.” vaccinations to enroll in school. ty’s vaccine exemption rate is Most Washington students are However, just over 5% of Wash- even higher at 7%, and ranged up ington’s students in the last school to 43% in local schools. “This is year were exempted for religious concerning because many diseas- es require high vaccination rates to ensure there’s enough wide- spread immunity in the population to protect others who have not de- veloped immunity or are unable to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Melnick. A number of clinic options are available. The Battle Ground Community Center, 912 E. Main St. will host their free immuni- zation clinic on Friday, Aug. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. by appointment, which can be made by calling (360) 566-4409. The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington, 4100 Plomondon St. will offer a walk- in immunization service for un- insured children only on the first and third Wednesday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. and can be reached at (360) 313 – 1390. Hudson Bay High School, 1601 E. McLough- lin Blvd. will offer a back-to- school immunization clinic on Wednesday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and can be reached at (360) 313-4733. The Sea Mar Community Health Centers at 7410 E. Delaware Lane will offer their free vaccinations for children under the age of 19 on Thursday, Aug. 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only and can be reached at (360) 566 – 4409. For more information, Clark County residents are encouraged to visit doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvi- ronment/Schools/Immunization/ VaccineRequirements. Faith Leader Open to Change Welcomes women into Baptist leaders group Showdogs is a full service salon. We do baths, all over hair cuts, tooth brushing, nail trims, soft claws, flea treatments, mud baths, and ear cleaning. We also have health care and grooming products to keep your pet clean in between visits. Show Dogs Grooming Salon & Boutique 926 N. Lombard Portland, OR 97217 503-283-1177 Tuesday-Saturday 9am-7pm Monday 10am-4pm Yo dawg is gonna look like a show dawg and your kitty will be pretty. The Rev. J. Walter Hills II of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church will lead a group of histor- ically black churches in Portland. Rev. Hills was installed as mod- erator of the Portland Union Bap- tist District Association at their 60th annual session last month. The group represents affiliated African-American Baptist church- es in Portland. The outgoing moderator, Rev. Carland Allen of Greater Mt. Gil- lard Baptist Church, was recog- nized during the session for his leadership for the past five years. Additionally, installed as the vice moderators were The Rev. Craig Brown of the St. Paul Baptist Church and The Rev. Victor Reyn- olds of the New Covenant Baptist Church. Rev. Hills hails from Colum- bia, S.C., and recently celebrated his second anniversary as the pas- tor of New Hope. The 32 year old Rev. J. Walter Hills II also serves as Third Vice President of the General Baptist Convention of the Northwest. In a message to his fellow faith leaders, he said he wanted to be an agent for change, to build “strong leaders, stronger churches, better people and a better district.” One of his recommendations was to open the group’s member- ship to those churches who have female pastors. The district tradi- tionally has been one which reg- istered churches with male pastors only. His other plans include intro- ducing new ministries and pro- grams, engaging and investing in our youth, and much more. Rev. Hills is married to the for- mer Rhyan Michelle Adams, and they are the parents of two children.