To help families avoid the back-to-school rush, the Carroll County Health Department is offering three summer walk-in immunization clinics on Monday, June 9; Friday, July 11; and Monday, July 14.

The health department will be open on those days with no appointment needed from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m.

The health department also is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the summer for families to schedule school immunizations and health screenings by appointment only.

In addition to the health department, a child’s doctor also can provide the immunizations, health screenings, and forms required for a student to enroll in school this fall.

Families are encouraged to schedule appointments between now and early July to help ease the back-to-school rush in late July and August. Some vaccinations require multiple doses spread several weeks apart, so scheduling earlier ensures a child can receive all required doses before school begins and before all appointments are full.

‘First-Time’ Students
When enrolling in a Georgia public or private school for the first time, state law requires all students (from pre-kindergarten to 12^th grade) must submit a Georgia Immunization Certificate (Form 3231) showing they have received the appropriate immunizations for their age (or submit a religious exemption form 2208).

All students entering a Georgia public school for the first time also must submit the Georgia Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Screening (Form 3300) to their school.

Parents of “first-time” students also will need to provide the school with proof of their child’s birth date. The health department can provide a certified copy of a child’s birth certificate (for those born in any Georgia county), or it can be ordered online at carrollgavitals.permitium.com/rod.

Seventh-Grade Requirements
Students entering seventh grade—and students new to Georgia in grades eight through 12—must submit an updated immunization certificate showing proof of one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine (or submit religious exemption Form 2208).

Eleventh-Grade Requirements
Students entering 11^th grade (and those new to Georgia entering 12^th grade) need to receive a second dose of meningococcal vaccine (unless their first dose was received on or after their 16^th birthday) and submit an updated form as well.

In addition to required immunizations, the HPV vaccine also is recommended for both girls and boys at ages 11–12 to protect against cancers and other diseases caused by human papillomavirus. For more information, visit cdc.gov/hpv.

Visit dph.ga.gov/schoolimmunizations for a list of required school immunizations and health screenings in Georgia. A child’s doctor or health department can help guide families in getting the right vaccines for their child.

“Getting your child vaccinated protects not just your own child, but also their classmates, teachers, and family members who might be more vulnerable to serious illness,” said Lauren Denney, the health department’s county nurse manager. “When we keep vaccination rates high in our schools, we create a protective bubble around our entire community. It’s especially important for children with health conditions who can’t be vaccinated themselves; they’re counting on the rest of us to help keep them safe.”

To schedule a health department appointment, visit district4health.org to schedule online, or call (800) 847-4262.

Fees for immunizations and screenings will vary. Payments for health services may be made by cash, MasterCard or Visa. Medicaid covers vision and hearing screenings and immunizations, and the health department accepts most insurance plans. For more information, call (800) 847-4262. 

The Carroll County Health Department is located at 1004 Newnan Road in Carrollton.