It’s offering free immunizations for kids still needing required vaccinations before they head to class.
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August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is urging parents to prepare their children for the upcoming school year. That’s why the Department of Health has collaborated with the Department of Education to launch the “Don’t Wait, Vaccinate” campaign.
“We feel that this 8-month period provides unnecessary risks to both children and the school and families”, Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Karen Murphy said. “However, the scientific and medical communities overwhelmingly dispute non-evidence based theories that vaccines are bad for our children”. The study looked at the number of antigens from vaccines during the first two years of life. DHMH requires proof of vaccinations or that a student has started a plan to receive missing immunizations within 20 days after school starts, and those that don’t can be excluded from school.
Even more importantly, because of immunizations, children are not dying from these damaging infectious diseases, and our communities with vulnerable patients are safer.
“Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death”, said Megan Davies, M.D., Acting State Health Director and Chief of DHHS’ Division of Public Health’s Epidemiology Section. Previously, the final doses of each vaccine could be administered up until age 6.
As part of the DOH’s campaign, the department is hosting over 61 clinics statewide between now and August 21. An entire list of vaccination requirements for students in public schools can be found on DHMH’s website, and parents can check with their child’s pediatrician to make sure students are up-to-date before entering school.
Due to a shortage of the meningitis vaccine in the area, Unit 5 and District 87 are extending the time students have to get the required vaccination.
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Now that Senate Bill 1410 is law, parents who want to cite religious belief as a reason not to vaccinate will have to complete a Certificate of Religious Exemption and have it signed by a health care provider. A parent/legal guardian must go with the child receiving immunizations.
