Services List: Immunizations and Vaccinations

Check out the 2008 "Live Healthy Georgia, Seniors Taking Charge" calendar! It offers health reminders, information about immunizations, and local healthcare contacts in Chatham, Effingham and Glynn counties. Request a free copy by calling 912.644.5216. Click here to download a pdf version of the calendar! (Please note: the file is large and may take a few moments to download. Thanks for your patience!)

Important Note! The vaccination requirements for children in Georgia have changed! Is your child up to date?
Vaccine requirements have been expanded for children in Georgia to better protect them against many diseases. The Georgia Department of Human Resources Board recently approved the additions, following the recommendations of several physician advisory committees. The new rules took effect July 1, 2007, and will affect all children attending childcare, Pre-K, Head Start and school facilities.

New Requirements for children enrolled in childcare facilities (including Head Start and Pre-K):
-If your child is under five (5) years of age, he must have protection against pneumococcal disease. He will need the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV). The number of doses needed will depend on the child’s age.
-If your child was born on or after January 1, 2006 and attends childcare facilities (including Pre-K), he must have
two (2) doses of Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity.
-Contact your childcare facility about your child’s Certificate of Immunization (Form3231) and the expiration date. When the certificate expires, he will be required to meet the new immunization requirements.
-If your child is currently enrolled in a 4-year-old pre-K program and has a certificate marked as “Complete for
School,” he may need to obtain the 2nd doses of Varicella and Mumps vaccines and will need to submit documentation of meeting the new requirements on the Georgia Certificate of Immunization upon entry to school (5-year-old kindergarten).

New requirements for children entering 6th grade:
-Have two (2) doses of Measles vaccine, two (2) doses of Mumps vaccine, and one (1) dose of Rubella vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity against Measles, Mumps or Rubella.
-Have two (2) doses of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or documentation of disease or laboratory proof of immunity. At the time your child entered school only one (1) dose of this vaccine was required.

Recommended and Required Childhood Vaccines
Georgia law requires all children entering school or day care to show proof of immunization. However, children should begin to receive vaccinations as infants so they can be protected during the preschool years.

For a chart of all the recommended vaccines for children, click here.
For a chart of the required vaccines for childcare and school attendance, click here.

If you have questions about the new requirements, read this list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers. You may also contact your county health department or your child's healthcare provider. Be sure to retain a copy of your child’s immunizations from your doctor or health department in case of an emergency.

Teen Immunizations:
Your child may seem all grown up, but he still needs your help to stay healthy. Immunizations aren’t just for little kids - did you know your teen needs several important vaccines to be protected against diseases? Georgia law requires immunizations for children and teens in school and college. New shots may have been added to the requirements since your child started school. Also, as scientists create more vaccines, there may be some new shots you want your teen to have.

One of the new vaccinations you should consider is the HPV vaccine, which can help protect your daugther against cervical cancer. Read more about this vaccine by clicking here.

Visit the Immunization Action Coalition’s page on teen immunizations http://www.vaccineinformation.org/adolescents.asp for information.

College Students:
Heading off to College? Visit the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia to find out information on immunizations required before beginning college.

Adult Immunizations:
Most adults realize the important role of immunizations in infants and children’s health, but are unaware that vaccines are a necessary part of adult health. Each year in the US, as many as 50,000 adults die from vaccine-preventable diseases or their complications. Check with your county health department or doctor to make sure your own immunizations are up to date.

Information about Adult Immunizations

More information at Georgia Adult Immunization Coalition

Travel Immunizations:
Wherever your travels may take you, make sure to stay healthy. Your county health department offers vaccinations necessary to travel out of the United States as well as tips and information on other ways you can protect yourself from getting sick while traveling. Call you health department today to schedule an appointment.

For more information on travel and immunizations visit the following websites
http://www.immunize.org/travel/
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

Pregnancy and Immunization
If you're pregnant or planning to conceive, it's time to give your immunization history some attention. Some vaccine-preventable infections can pose a serious risk to your health and your unborn baby's. Check with your doctor to see what you may be missing.
Pregnancy and Immunization

WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/services-list/immunizationsvaccinations.php