With local schools scheduled to resume Aug.
18, Sarasota County public health and school
officials are reminding parents to get their
children's immunizations updated.
A parent of a child enrolling at a Sarasota
County school for the first time must pro-
vide the office staff with a completed Florida
Certification of Immunization (DH 680), a
Health Department news release points out.
Available through healthcare providers and
at the Florida Department of Health (DOH)
in Sarasota County (formerly known as the
Sarasota County Health Department), that
certification "is the official record showing
that school-age children have had all the
immunizations needed for their grade level,"
the news release explains.
By the time a child starts school, he or
she should already have had a number of
required immunizations, the release contin-
ues. However, proof of updates, boosters and
series completion is required before any child
can become a student of the Sarasota County
Schools or advance to some grade levels.
Children entering seventh grade in August
must have proof they received a tetanus/
diphtheria/pertussis booster (TDaP) within
the past five years, for example, the release
points out. Parents also should make sure
their college-bound teenagers have up-to-date
required and recommended vaccines, which
usually include those for meningitis and HPV.
The registrar must be at the child's school
to process a DH 680 form, the release adds.
"While some school staff members work
year-round, the majority of Sarasota County
School District school registrars will return
to work July 24," it says. According to school
district staff, schools will be closed on all
Fridays through Aug. 8.
Students who do not have the required immu-
nizations will be sent home from public
schools on the first day, Aug. 18, the release
notes. In addition, they will not be able to ride
a bus or participate in sports, band or other
extracurricular activities until the school has
the DH 680 forms showing they have received
the required immunizations, the release adds.
The Department of Health, through the fed-
erally funded Vaccines for Children program,
offers immunizations to eligible children at
no cost, the release points out. No appoint-
ment is needed. A parent or legal guardian
must be present and must bring prior shot
records, the release says. Immunizations
are also available free of charge to children
with insurance. "Please bring your insur-
ance card information," the release adds.
Immunizations for children are available at
the following locations:
WILLIAM L. LITTLE HEALTH
AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
Call 861-2900 for hours or visit sarasotahealth.org.
The Walk-In Immunization Clinic is located
at 2200 Ringling Blvd. in downtown Sarasota.
NORTH PORT HEALTH CENTER
Call 861-3864 for hours or visit sarasotahealth.org.
The Walk-In Immunization Clinic is located at
6950 Outreach Way in North Port.
For more information, contact a healthcare
provider or the DOH-Sarasota's Office of
School Health at 927-9000, Ext. 32101. For
a complete shot schedule, visit the Sarasota
County School District's health website.
PARENTS ENCOURAGED TO HAVE CHILDREN VACCINATED BEFORE SCHOOL
Sarasota News Leader July 11, 2014 Page 80
