Ocala, Fla. — Marion County schools are back in session on Aug. 10. Accordingly, the Health Department in Marion County offers local parents an opportunity to get their children vaccinated for the 2023 school year. 

DOH-Marion is providing free vaccines for all children up to age 18 between now and Aug. 12. The shots are given at our main office, 1801 SE 32^nd Ave., Ocala, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary. 

DOH-Marion’s Immunizations clinic reminds parents of the following information about vaccines for students in either public or private schools. 

Children entering, attending, or transferring to Florida schools in kindergarten through 12^th grade must have received:

• Four or five doses of DTaP (Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis) series
• Four or five doses of inactivated polio vaccine
• Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
• Three doses of the Hep B vaccine
• One Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (or Tdap) vaccine
• Two doses of the varicella (or chicken pox) vaccine. The varicella vaccine is not required if the student’s health care provider can supply DOH-Marion documentation of previous varicella disease infection.

Students entering seventh grade this year must receive a Tdap booster.

Parents who are unsure of their child’s vaccination status may obtain a copy of their child’s shot records from the DOH-Marion Immunizations clinic.

For more information about school vaccines, contact DOH-Marion at 352-629-0137, or at dlchd42immunizations@flhealth.gov.

About the Florida Department of Health 

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. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.