Is your child vaccine-ready for school?

In about a week, Georgia children will begin heading back to school. There are many things to remember for your child’s first week—clothes, school supplies, lunches, schedules. Vaccines, which protect your child from certain diseases, should be among them. Is your child vaccine-ready for school? Here’s what you need to know. Visit your child’s healthcare provider to obtain the needed vaccinations.  

Form 3231

Children attending any childcare facility, pre-kindergarten, Head Start program, nursery or school are required to have Form 3231 on file. This includes public and private operations and all enterprises, educational programs and institutions involved in the care, supervision or instruction of children. Certificates are required for all children through grade 12.

Read the Immunization Requirements for Georgia Child Care and School Attendance.

7th Grade Immunization Requirements

All children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades eight through twelve, must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine to fulfill immunization requirements.

11th Grade Immunization Requirements

Before starting the 2020-21 school year, 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.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can cause shock, coma and death within hours of the first symptoms. To help protect your children and others from meningitis, Georgia law requires students be vaccinated against this disease, unless the child has an exemption.

Religious Exemption  

In the state of Georgia, if there is a religious objection to the vaccination of a child, a completed affidavit on Form 2208 is required. After completion of the affidavit, the parent or legal guardian must have the form filed with the school or childcare facility the child will be attending as legal documentation of exemption from the required immunizations mentioned above.

In the event an epidemic or threat of epidemic is determined, please refer to “DPH Rules and Regulations for Schools and Childcare Facilities, Chapter 511-2-2.”

To learn more about Georgia immunization law, please read the “Official Code of Georgia Annotated O.C.G.A. § 20-2-771 - Requirements for Attendance at Child Care/School Facilities and Certification of Immunizations.”