Start of school year is good time to check on vaccinations

Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District says to keep necessary vaccinations up to date.

As school starts the Georgia Department of Public Health Northwest Health District is urging parents and students to keep necessary vaccinations up to date.

“August serves as a reminder that people of all ages require timely vaccinations to protect their health,” said Janet Eberhart, immunizations coordinator for the Northwest Georgia Health District. “This includes everyone from babies and young children to preteens and teens to pregnant women and adults.”

The CDC has recently announced the nasal spray flu vaccine should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season. The vaccine was largely ineffective during the past four flu seasons. Students born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, and entering the seventhgrade need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster and adolescent meningococcal vaccinations.

Every child in a Georgia school system attending a child care facility, or a new student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time, is required by law to have a Georgia Immunization Certificate, Form 3231.

Below are the immunizations required for child care and school attendance:

Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (up to age 5 years), mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B, Hib disease (up to age 5 years), varicella and meningococcal conjugate. First-year college students living in residence halls are recommended to be vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine. If they received this vaccine before they age of 16 they should get a booster before going to college for maximum protection. Also, there have been several recent mumps outbreaks on college campuses.

‘August serves as a reminder that people of all ages require timely vaccinations to protect their health.’

Janet Eberhart Immunizations coordinator for the Northwest Georgia Health District