The Southeast Health District recently recognized the Georgia Pred Vaccination Week, joining public health officials throughout the state to raise awareness of the importance of adolescent vaccinations.
The Southeast Health District recently joined the Public Health Managers of Georgia to recognize the Georgia PRETEen Vaccination Week (March 10-14). This celebration is an annual initiative of the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) aimed at raising awareness of the importance of vaccines for adolescents.
Vaccination is an essential step to protect pre -adolescents and adolescents from serious and potentially achieving diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Georgia DPH recommend several vaccines for adolescents, including those who protect against meningitis, HPV, tetanus / diphtheria / whooping (TDA) and COVID-19.
In accordance with the rule of Georgia DPH 511-2-2, students who frequent school in Georgia must have proof of immunization against meningitis and darling (whooping) if they meet the following criteria:
- Born January 1, 2002 or after besides;
- Enter or transfer to seventh year;
- Any “new participant” in Georgia schools from 8th to 12th year
This requirement applies to all public and private schools, including charter schools, community schools, minor judicial schools and other alternative school environments. Students at home are exempt.
“This week serves as an important reminder for parents and tutors to have their child vaccinated to protect themselves from vaccine preventable diseases,” said Synita MathisImmunization coordinator for the Southeast Health District. She continued: “Parents and caregivers should make it a priority to have their child vaccinated with vaccines recommended to ensure healthy future for their children.”
For more information on pre-adolescent and adolescent vaccinations, call 1 (855) 473-4374 or visit www.dph.georgia.gov/schoolvaccines. To find a health service near you, visit www.sehdph.org/ourcouse.