VALDOSTA – Summer fun is here, but school is just around the corner! The Lowndes County Health Department wants to help parents with their children’s back-to-school immunizations.

A back-to-school bash will be held at the health department Monday-Friday, July 22-Aug. 2, during regular health department hours.

“Our back-to-school bash is all about making it easy for parents to get their kids’ required vaccines,” said Kim Davis, RN, Lowndes County nurse manager. “Every year, we see a rush of families right before school starts, which means long waits and stressed-out parents and kids. By hosting this event, we can focus on making the vaccination process quick and hassle-free for everyone.”

Immunizations that children may need before starting school include Tdap, the human papillomavirus (HPV) series, chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, MCV4 or other vaccines based on the individual’s vaccine records.

MCV4 or meningococcal conjugate vaccine, is a two-dose series. It helps protect against four types of the bacteria that cause meningococcal disease (serogroups A, C, W and Y). While most people who get the vaccine do not have any serious side effects, it is always a possibility. The most common side effects include redness or pain where the shot was given and occasionally a fever. These side effects typically go away within 1-2 days.

Students entering the 7th grade need documentation of one dose of meningococcal vaccine and one dose of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster immunization (called “Tdap”) to begin classes in the new school year.

Parents are also reminded that all students entering or transferring into 11th grade will need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4), unless their first dose was received on or after their 16th birthday.

Every child in a Georgia school system (kindergarten-12th grade), attending a childcare facility, or a student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Immunization Certificate, Form 3231.

Children over the age of 5 are also eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition to vaccinations, the Ear, Eye, Dental and Nutrition screening form (Form 3300) will be available during the back-to-school bash. Form 3300 is required for all students entering a Georgia school for the first time.

For more information on immunizations visit http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.

To schedule an appointment at Lowndes County Health Department for the back-to-school bash, call 229-333-5257. The Lowndes County Health Department is located at 206 S. Patterson St. in Valdosta.