The Pima County Health Department will offer extended hours at its offices in July and August to provide more opportunities for children to be vaccinated before the start of school.

While vaccines are available at Health Department offices all year long, additional hours and opportunities to schedule an appointment will make it easier for families to beat the rush before school starts.

Back to School Clinics will be held at the following locations:

• East Office: 6920 E. Broadway Blvd. (520) 298-3888
• North Office: 3550 N. 1st Ave. (520) 243-2850
• South Office: 175 W. Irvington Road (520) 889-9543
• Green Valley Office: 601 N. La Cañada Dr. (520) 648-1626
• Catalina Office: 3535 E. Hawser St. (520) 825-9299

Hours for each of the clinics are attached, and can also be found along with fees at www.pimahealth.org.

Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive a vaccine, and it’s recommended that they eat before receiving a vaccine.

Remember to bring:

• AHCCCS or insurance card
• Current immunization card

For more information about the Back to School Clinics, visit www.pimahealth.org or call (520) 243-7736.

The Pima County Health Department will give away free booster seats at all Health Department immunization clinics starting July 2, 2012.

The booster seats are being given out in partnership with the Arizona Department of Health Services to help families before a new statewide law goes into effect August 2, 2012. The new law requires that all children between the ages of 5 and 8 years and less than 4 feet 10 inches tall are required to sit in a booster seat while riding in a car.

Booster seats are designed to raise a child so the seat belt fits properly and reduces a child’s risk of injury in a crash.

The booster seats will be distributed at the following locations during immunization clinic hours or by appointment:

• East Office: 6920 E. Broadway Boulevard (520) 298-3888
• North Office: 3550 N. 1st Avenue (520) 243-2850
• South Office: 175 W. Irvington Road (520) 889-9543
• Green Valley Office: 601 N. La Cañada Drive (520) 648-1626
• Ajo Office: 120 Estrella, Ajo, AZ 85321 1(520) 387-7206
• Catalina Office: 3535 E. Hawser (520) 825-9299

Visit www.pimahealth.org or call (520) 243-7736 for immunization clinic hours or to make an appointment.

Families can receive one seat per eligible child 5-8 years old and less than 4 feet 10 inches tall, while supplies last. For more information about the booster seats, call (520) 243-7736.

Pima County, Ariz. (Oct. 27, 2011) – As southern Arizona weather becomes cooler and more enjoyable for outdoor activities, the Pima County Health Department is advising residents and visitors to be cautious when encountering wildlife.

Wild animals can bring hikers and walkers face to face with the rabies virus.  Rabid animals have been found not only in their natural habitat, but also in urban locations throughout Pima County.

Rabies is a dangerous virus that attacks the brain and nervous system.

The disease is carried by infected wild animals like bats, skunks, foxes, javelina, and bobcats. Contact with the saliva of an infected animal through a bite or an existing open skin lesion can allow the virus to pass easily to humans and pets.

There are no known effective treatments for people with symptoms of a rabies infection.  However, it is possible to prevent rabies if immunization is given soon after a bite or exposure.

The best way to protect yourself and your pets from rabies is to avoid close contact with wild animals. Here are some safety tips:

•  Enjoy wild animals from a distance, even if they appear friendly.
• Never feed wildlife or leave food or garbage that might attract them.
• If you see a wild animal acting strangely, report the sighting to Pima County Animal Care at (520) 243-5900.
• Reduce the possibility of pets getting exposed to wildlife by not letting them roam free.
• Ensure all pets are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

If you do have a contact with animal saliva, are bitten by a wild animal, or see a wild animal acting strangely call Pima Animal Care Center at (520) 243-5900.