Beat the Fall Rush for Back-to-School Vaccines

The Georgia Department of Health Encourages Families To Beat The Back-To-School Rush
Tracy Bishop,

GEORGIA – As summer winds down and students prepare to head back to the classroom, the The Georgia Department of Health is encouraging parents to make sure their children are up to date on all required immunizations before the first day of school.

“Getting your child’s vaccines before school starts is one of the easiest ways to set them up for a healthy and successful school year,” said Colethia Moore, RN, BSN, District Nursing and Clinical Director for the West Central Health District. “By getting vaccinated early, families can avoid long wait times and ensure their children are ready to step up to the plate on the first day of class.”

Georgia law requires certain immunizations and health screenings for students entering school.

Parents should be aware of the following requirements:

  • Pre-K, Kindergarten, and all students new to Georgia schools must have completed Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screenings (Form 3300).
  • Students entering 7th grade must receive one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal (MCV4) vaccine.
  • Students entering 11th grade must provide proof of a meningococcal booster (MCV4), unless the first dose was administered on or after their 16th birthday.
  • All students must have an updated Georgia Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) on file with their school.

In addition to required vaccines, parents are encouraged to speak with their child’s healthcare provider about recommended vaccines, including HPV and annual influenza vaccination.

To help families prepare for the upcoming school year, local health departments throughout south Georgia are offering immunizations and school-required screenings. Families are encouraged to visit their local health department before the annual back-to-school rush.

For families who recently moved to Georgia, local health departments can transfer immunization records from another state for a nominal fee. Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid and Peach State Health Plan, are accepted. Cash, debit, and credit cards are also accepted.

Appointments are not required for most immunization services. Families are encouraged to visit their local health department early to avoid longer wait times as the school year approaches.

For more information, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health.

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