Kids need to get their back to school immunizations | Families

VALDOSTA, GA – News release from Valdosta City Schools

The school year is almost here, will your child be ready?

Not only does your child need school supplies, they also need an up-to-date health record to start the school year.

According to health experts with the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH), immunizations are the most important public health resources that are cost-effective and help children fight vaccine preventable diseases.

Every child entering into the Georgia school system (Kindergarten - 12th grade), attending child care facilities or a new student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231.

As the new school year approaches, Lowndes County Health Department in conjunction with Valdosta City School and Lowndes County Schools, wants to remind you about school immunization rules and encourage parents to bring in their children early for immunizations and screenings.

The following is a list of immunizations children need as a prerequisite for admission to schools and other facilities:

●     Diphtheria: a bacterium that can cause a severe throat infection

that can inhibit breathing and swallowing or cause heart failure and poison the body

●     Pertussis (whooping cough): a bacterium that causes coughing

spells and can lead to pneumonia, seizures or coma

●     Tetanus (lockjaw): a bacterium that can cause muscle spasms and

make it hard to swallow or breathe

●     Polio: a virus that can cause weakened muscles and paralyze

people

●     Measles: a highly contagious virus that can cause fevers, rash,

and lead to ear infection, pneumonia and even swelling of the brain

●     Mumps: a virus that can cause swelling around the cheeks and

jaws, hearing loss or meningitis

●     Rubella: a virus that can cause severe harm early in pregnancy

to unborn babies

●     Pneumococcal: can cause pneumonia, infection of the blood and

meningitis.

●     Varicella (chicken pox): a virus that causes extreme itching and

blisters and can lead to skin infections and pneumonia in some cases

●     Hepatitis A and B: viruses that can cause liver damage and is

contagious

●     Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): a bacterium that causes

throat and joint infections, meningitis and hearing loss.

For a summary of total doses required for child care and school attendance, visit http://bit.ly/Mrs19R.

To expedite the process when coming to the health department for immunizations, parents should do the following:

●     Bring each child and his/her immunization record (if have not

received immunizations in the past at the health department)

●     Bring an accepted form of payment: check, cash, Medicaid,

PeachCare for Kids, Cigna and United Healthcare State Health Benefit Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and major credit and debit cards. 

●     Arrive early! General clinic stops administering vaccinations

one hour before closing due to mandated observations of each patient.

Students can also have their ear, eye and dental check completed and receive a certified birth certificate while at the health department receiving immunizations, if needed.

Money orders, cash, and credit and debit cards are accepted for birth certificates.

For more information call the Lowndes County Health Department at 333-5257.