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Changes in immunization requirements for children Georgia's immunization requirements for children attending child care and school facilities have been changed to reflect current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the National Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. "Parents in Southwest Health District's 14 counties should be aware that schools are or will soon be in the process of registering kids for Pre-K, Headstart and kindergarten. In addition, many county school systems and private schools begin preparing fifth graders for sixth grade by sending out letters to parents informing them of immunization requirements," Sue Dale, the district immunization coordinator, said. "You need to know that requirements have changed. Let's work together to ensure our children have a healthy start to the new school year." The new requirements adopted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources will affect Georgia children attending child care facilities, entering school for the first time or entering sixth grade on or after July 1, 2007. The changes include new vaccine requirements and additional doses of some vaccines. These include: age appropriate vaccination against pneumococcal disease for children less than five years of age; children born on or after January 1, 2006, will need vaccination to protect against Hepatitis A (in the past only protection against Hepatitis B has been required); a second dose of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or documentation of disease will be required for those entering either kindergarten, sixth grade or any school or facility for the first time; two doses of measles and mumps and one dose of rubella vaccine (usually given in combination as MMR) for kindergarten and sixth grade entrance. "Parents should contact their child's pediatrician or local health department on what shots their child needs to meet the new immunization requirement," Dale said. "Also, your child's healthcare provider should document any vaccine administered on the new form, the revised Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231), which should then be turned in to the childcare facility or school."
Additional information is available at Southwest Health District's website, www.southwestgoergiapublichealth. org, or the Georgia Immunization Program website, www. health.state. ga.us/programs/ immunization.
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