State Health Officials Mark National Immunization Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

Georgia District Two Public Health is taking the opportunity to remind residents to make sure everyone in the family is up-to-date on their vaccinations.

District Two Public Health Spokesman Dave Palmer said that August is a good time to issue this reminder because of students heading back to school.

“In school, vaccines are required to enter kindergarten,” said Palmer. “Then as children are going into the 7th grade, there are additional vaccines required and then even for college-age students, vaccines may be required to enter college. We want to make sure we get all of those groups vaccinated before they enter school.”

Every child in a Georgia school system, kindergarten through 12th grade, attending a child care facility, or a new student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Immunization Form 3231.

Other vaccinations are required for certain age levels all the way up through college.

Palmer said properly vaccinated individuals help protect the very young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems by reducing the risk of spreading illness.

“As you know, polio used to be a problem here in the United States and of course as people became vaccinated, we have almost eliminated polio here in the United States,” said Palmer. “You never hear of any polio cases, so vaccine preventable diseases can be stopped if everybody gets vaccinated. What happens when more people are vaccinated, it protects everybody in the population because it stops the spread of illness. That is why we really encourage everyone to make sure that they get the required vaccines they need and that they stay on schedule for vaccines down the road.”

Palmer went on to say that even adults need to remember vaccinations.

“I would also remind folks that flu season is going to be coming up soon and to remember to get their flu vaccine in September or October, when it becomes available,” said Palmer. “Any of the adult vaccines that are available now for shingles or pneumonia, I would also encourage adults to think about those vaccines as well.”

For more information on vaccinations, go to dph.georgia.gov and look for “Immunization Requirements.”