OCALA—Students may have just breathed a sigh of relief with school out for the summer, but it’s the perfect time for parents to plan for the 2015–2016 school year.

The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is urging parents to beat the rush and get school immunizations now.

“School is out, so we encourage parents to come to the health department now and get the vaccines they will need to start school in the fall,” said Erin Hess, Florida Department of Health in Marion County health officer. “Vaccinating your kids is good for them so they don’t get sick, good for parents so they don’t miss work for a sick child, and good for the community so contagious illnesses don’t spread.”

New health requirements mean that children may need an additional polio vaccination before they can enter kindergarten. Students entering seventh grade need the tetanus diphtheria and acellular pertussis—Tdap—booster. Students in higher grades may also need the Tdap booster. Some other vaccination requirements include:

• Kindergarten through seventh grade: two doses of the varicella vaccine.
• Grades eight through 12: one dose of the varicella vaccine.
• Students entering a Florida school for the first time: two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella—MMR—vaccine.

Immunizations are free for people ages 18 and younger and no appointment is needed at the department’s Ocala office. The immunization clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

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The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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