The Georgia Department of Public Health recently announced that children 16 years and older, who are entering the 11th grade (including new entrants), must have received one booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), unless their initial dose was administered on or after their 16th birthday.
According to Carol Martin, Newton County School System (NCSS) Health Specialist, the meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness that affects the brain and spinal cord.
“Meningitis can cause shock, coma and death within hours of the first symptoms,” she warned.
All NCSS parents of rising 11th grade students are encouraged to have their child vaccinated this summer—prior to the school start date of August 2, 2021—if they have not already received the vaccination. Student schedules will be withheld until the district receives proof of immunization or proper exemption.
“Students can obtain the vaccine from their pediatrician or the local health department,” said Martin. “We encourage parents to make appointments now before the back-to-school rush begins towards the end of July.”
Martin added that the summer months are a great time for parents to check their students’ records for any missing vaccinations or shots needed for school, including HPB, Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), and flu vaccine. Other shots students may need to catch-up on might include chickenpox, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and hepatitis B.
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