Vaccine Requirement For All Rising 7th Graders

All rising 7th grade students are required to have one dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine and one dose of the meningococcal vaccine by August 30, 2016. 

Effective July 1, 2014 children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending 7th grade and for new entrants into a Georgia school in grades 8 through 12 must have received the Tdap and the Meningococcal vaccines. “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 twelve months or one school year.

Once your child has received the required vaccines, please send a copy of the completed Georgia Department of Public Health Certificate of Immunization Form 3231 to his or her school no later than August 30, 2016. Per Georgia law, in order for your child to remain in school, a completed immunization record must be on file for your child within the first 30 calendar days of the 2016-2017 school year.

If you have any questions about the new vaccine requirements, please contact the Thomas County Health Department at 229-226-4241 or your child’s primary physician.