Georgia Coastal Health District

Vaccinations for School

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Certain vaccinations are required before your child can attend daycare or school. And immunizations aren’t just for our youngest learners – children will need additional vaccinations at certain points throughout their schooling. There are vaccine requirements for middle school children as well as college students.

Students entering a Georgia school for the first time – no matter what the grade level – must also have a completed Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition screening form. “First time” means never enrolled in a Georgia school before at any time in their lives. This service can be provided by your health department.

Please note: According to Georgia law, only the parent or legal guardian can sign a consent form authorizing immunizations of a minor.

School Forms/Documents

• Immunization Requirements for Georgia Child Care and School Attendance
• Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Screening form (3300)
• Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization Form

Immunization Requirements for Children Attending Seventh Grade

Children who are attending seventh grade, and new entrants into Georgia schools in grades 8 through 12, must receive one dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and one dose of meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine. (“New entrant” means any child entering any school in Georgia for the first time or entering after having been absent from a Georgia school for more than 12 months or one school year).

Immunization Requirements for Children Attending 11th Grade

All students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

Immunization Costs

If your child does not have health insurance or their health plan won’t cover these vaccines, call your local health department and ask about getting no-cost or low-cost vaccines.

Heading off to College?

If you’ll be attending a Georgia college or university, find out information on required immunizations:

Immunization Requirements & Recommendations for University System of Georgia Students

Some institutions of higher learning may have different immunization requirements. Be sure to check with the college or university you plan to attend to find out what immunizations you will need.

How Do I Get My Child’s Shot Record?

Looking for an immunization record?

• Visit your county health department where clinicians can access the GRITS database
• Request a record online through the Georgia Department of Public Health
• Contact the last physician or health care facility where you had immunizations administered

Other Childhood Vaccines

Ask your pediatrician or local health department about other shots your child may need, including:

• the human papillomavirus (HPV) series
• the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis shot (Tdap or Td booster)
• an annual flu vaccine; and
• catch-up immunizations, including chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and hepatitis B.