Summer may be in full swing, but Effingham County Health Department officials are urging parents not to wait to get their children the necessary back-to-school immunizations. In an effort to make it as convenient as possible for parents, the health department will extend clinic hours to 7 p.m. on July 17 and 24. Walk-ins and appointments are welcome on those days.

 The Effingham County Health Department provides the hearing, vision, and dental screenings and immunizations required for school attendance and will provide parents with immunization certificates once the screenings and immunizations are completed.

Daycare and school-aged children are required by Georgia law to get certain immunizations before entering school. Parents who wait until just before school starts to get back-to-school services for their children can expect longer waiting times at the health department.

 “We encourage parents to bring their children in now to avoid the last-minute rush,” said Effingham County Nurse Manager Cindy Grovenstein, R.N.

For a complete immunization schedule, go to www.gachd.org and click on Immunizations and Vaccinations under the Quick Links menu. Effingham County Health Department staff can help explain the schedule, what immunizations are needed and when they are needed.

The Effingham County Health Department is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call the Effingham County Health Department at 754-6484.