OCALA, Fla.—Schools are back in session soon. While many local families are shopping for school supplies, they may need to add something else to their back to school checklist—getting immunizations.  

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will be holding special walk-in immunization clinics starting July 31 for families whose students need shots before the first day of school. The clinics will run through Aug. 11 and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in the department’s auditorium at 1801 SE 32nd Ave., Ocala.  

Students entering kindergarten, attending or transferring to a Florida public school need the following vaccines: four or five doses of DTaP (diptheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis); four or five doses of IPV (inactivated polio vaccine); two doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella), three doses of Hepatitis B, one dose of Tdap (tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis) and two doses of Varicella. All students entering seventh grade must have a Tdap booster (tetanus-diptheria-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/.  

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/individual with power of attorney must be reachable via telephone in this situation.     

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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