Tift Health Dept. Hosting Back-To-School Day

Beat The Rush For Back-to-School Immunizations

TIFTON – The first day of school will be here before you know it, and now is the time to check vaccinations off your back-to-school to-do list. The Tift County Health Department is hosting a Back-to-School Day to help families get required immunizations early, avoid long wait times, and start the school year prepared.

The event will be held Tuesday, July 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tift County Health Department, located at 305 E. 12th Street in Tifton. No appointment is needed.

“We want every student to start the school year ready to learn,” said Mecca Lewis, RN, Tift County Nurse Manager. “By offering immunizations and required screenings in one location, we can help make the back-to-school process easier for parents.”

Immunizations that children may need before starting school include:

  • Tdap
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) series
  • Chickenpox
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Hepatitis A & B
  • MCV4 (meningococcal conjugate vaccine)
  • Other vaccines based on the individual’s vaccine records

Students entering the 7th grade need documentation of one dose of meningococcal vaccine (MCV4) and one dose of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster immunization (Tdap) to begin classes in the new school year.

Parents are also reminded that all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of an MCV4 vaccine unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

Every child in a Georgia school system (kindergarten through 12th grade), attending a childcare facility, or a student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Immunization Certificate, Form 3231.

In addition to vaccinations, Ear, Eye, Dental and Nutrition Screening forms (Form 3300) will also be available during the Back-to-School Day. Form 3300 is required for all students entering a Georgia school for the first time.

Insurance may cover certain immunizations and services. Standard clinic fees will apply to vaccines and forms not covered by insurance.

For more information on immunizations, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Program website: http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.

To learn more about the Tift County Health Department Back-to-School Day, call 229-386-8373.