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Health Department Says Schedule Vaccines Now: Beat the Rush!

With the 2012-2013 school year on the horizon, the Houston County Health Department urges parents to update their children's immunization and hearing, vision, and dental screening before school begins.  Parents can call the Houston County Health Department or the student's primary care provider to determine if immunizations or hearing, vision, and dental screenings are needed.  The health department is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Public and private schools require Hepatitis B, DTaP (Dipheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), IPV (Polio), MMR (Mumps, Measles, and Rubella), and Varicella (Chickenpox) for entry into Pre-K and/or Kindergarten.  To enter 6th grade, schools check for two rounds of MMR and Varicella vaccine.

All colleges, both public and private have vaccine requirements as well.  They may include Hepatits B, two MMR, Tetanus, Meningococcal and Varicella immunity.  Check with your college to see what their requirements are. 

The Houston County Health Department also encourages adults to adhere to a recommended vaccine schedule to ensure protection against serious diseases caused by common infections such as flu.  Vaccine recommendations for adults are based on a variety of factors including age, health status and medical history.

Additional information about infant and adult immunization schedules is available at http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization or you can call the Houston County Health Department at (478) 218-2000.