OCALA, Fla.—Parents still have an opportunity to get a crucial back-to-school task taken care of before school starts: getting school immunizations. The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is offering back-to-school immunizations opportunities within the month to help children get immunized before the first day of school.

The department will be providing immunizations by appointment on the following dates:

• Friday, July 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County (1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala)
• Saturday, July 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Paddock Mall Back to School Fest, in Paddock Mall’s center court in front of Macy’s (3100 SW College Road, Ocala). COVID-19 vaccines will also be available.
• Saturday, Aug. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County (1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala). COVID-19 vaccines will also be available.

To make an appointment to receive immunizations, call 352-644-2695 or 352-644-2770 (español) during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

Students entering kindergarten or attending or transferring to a Florida public school need the following vaccines: 

• Four or five doses of DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis)
• Four or five doses of IPV (inactivated polio vaccine)
• Two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)
• Three doses of hepatitis B
• Two doses of varicella (unless a history of varicella is documented by a healthcare provider)

All students entering seventh grade must have a Tdap booster (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis).

College immunization requirements can vary; entering students should contact their schools to see what is required. More information about requirements can be found at www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/immunization/children-and-adolescents/school-immunization-requirements.

The Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines at no cost for children up to age 18 if the child is eligible for Medicaid, uninsured, underinsured (e.g. insurance doesn't cover vaccines) or an American Indian or Alaskan Native.

When coming to get immunizations, individuals need to bring government-issued photo ID and all immunizations and travel records. A parent, guardian or individual who has power of attorney for medical consent must accompany anyone under age 18. A step parent, grandparent, adult sibling of the minor, or an aunt or uncle can bring a minor child in for immunizations if they have written consent from the parent, legal guardian, or individual with power of attorney for medical consent; the parent, guardian or individual who has power of attorney must be reachable via telephone in this situation.

For more information, call the Department of Health in Marion County’s Immunizations Clinic at 352-644-2695 or 352-644-2770 (español).