Cobb & Douglas Public Health Urges Students and Parents to Get Immunized this August
The month of August is about bringing awareness to immunizations, and the Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) wants residents to think ahead and get the required school vaccinations.
“Vaccinations are our best defense against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Priti Kolhe, Director of Immunizations at CDPH. “This National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), we urge parents to get themselves and their families up to date on their vaccinations.”
This year, each week of NIAM focuses on a different stage of the lifespan:
o Babies and young children (August 12-August 18)
o Pregnant women (August 5-11)
o Adults (August 26-31)
o Preteen/Teen (August 19-25)
o Back to School (July/August)
Vaccines protect families, teens and children by preventing disease. They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease. Vaccinations also reduce absences both at school and at work and decrease the spread of illness in the home, workplace and community.
Every child in a Georgia school system (Kindergarten-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 Certificate, Form 3231. Below are the immunizations required for child care and school attendance:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles
- PCV13 (up to age 5 years)
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Hepatitis A and B
- Hib disease (up to age 5 years)
- Varicella
- Meningococcal Conjugate
Some schools, colleges, and universities have policies requiring vaccination against meningococcal disease as a condition of enrollment. Students aged 21 years or younger should have documentation of receipt of a dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine not more than five years before enrollment. If the primary dose was administered before their 16th birthday, a booster dose should be administered before enrollment in college.
This August, protect your family by getting vaccinated. Talk to your health care provider or visit your public health department and get immunized today. For more information, visit www.cobbanddouglaspublichealth.org
About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Cobb & Douglas Public Health, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, has been committed to the mission of “Healthier Lives. Healthier Community.” since 1920. We are dedicated to improving our residents’ quality of life by tracking and preventing the spread of disease, promoting health and safety, providing exceptional medical services, and ensuring that our community is prepared for public health emergencies.