Although area children probably don’t want to hear it, summer break is starting to wind down.

The back-to-school season, when parents scurry to gather school supply lists and last minute vacations are scheduled, is officially underway.

While finding exactly what a supply list asks for is important, nothing is more important than keeping a child up to date on his or her shots.

The Dallas County Health Department is doing its part in trying to help area youth stay up to date on their shots.

The department is holding a free back-to-school clinic Tuesday from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the health department that will get students up to date on their shots.

Parents need to bring records of their child’s previous shots and insurance cards, if insured, to the clinic, but no appointments are needed.

We encourage those in Selma to take advantage of Tuesday’s opportunity to get required vaccines and booster shots. It’s a lot easier for parents to take the time to get their child shots now than to wait until the school year starts and to have to take time out of their busy schedule to do it then.

“By that time, the clinic is booked, and we have an overflow of peoople trying to get in,” said Crystal Blackmon, a registered nurse at the health departemnt.

While local children are trying to soak up the last few weeks of summer before school starts back, parents are trying to make sure they get them ready. Tuesday is a chance for parents to scratch one more item off their to-do list.