It won’t be long before a new school year begins and Effingham County Health Department officials want to remind parents and caregivers to make sure students are up-to-date on all immunizations.

Children entering a Georgia school for the first time must have a completed certificate of vision, hearing, dental and nutrition screening form (Form 3300). In addition, seventh graders are required to have the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal (meningitis) vaccines prior to entering school. Children born on or after Jan. 1, 2002, who are attending seventh grade and new entrants into Georgia schools in grades 8-12 must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. “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 12 months or one school year.

For more information on vaccines, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines. Parents with any questions regarding whether or not their children are up-to-date on vaccinations can call the Effingham County Health Department at 754-6484.

A summary of Georgia immunization requirements for child care and school attendance can be found by going to www.gachd.org and clicking on the Immunizations and Vaccinations link under the Quick Links menu.