Panama City, Fla.— The Bay County Health Department will provide a special Back to School Shot clinic weekdays, Monday through Friday, August 7 through August 18 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. daily.  The shot clinic will be held at the Florida Department of Health in Bay County, 597 West 11^th Street in the Auditorium. Immunizations will be provided to children K5 through 12^th grade. 

“Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect our children from preventable diseases, like Whooping cough, Meningitis and especially in homes with new born babies who can’t protect them self at homes with siblings”, said Douglas M. Kent, MPH, DOH-Bay Administrator.  

To avoid long lines and lengthy waits, you are highly encouraged to get your child’s immunizations early in the season. Shots are free and no appointment is necessary. Guardians must provide a Florida Certification of Immunization (DH 680 form), documenting the following vaccinations:

Public/Private Schools Kindergarten through Twelfth Grade:

• Four or five doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine
• Three doses of hepatitis B (Hep B) vaccine
• Three, four or five doses of polio (IPV) vaccine
• Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
• Two doses of varicella vaccine for kindergarten and grades one through nine
• One dose of varicella vaccine for grades ten through twelve

Seventh Grade:

In addition to kindergarten through twelfth grade vaccines, students entering or
attending seventh grade need the following vaccinations:

• One dose of tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine in grades seven through
  twelve
• An updated DH 680 form to include Tdap, must be obtained for submission to the
  school

Parents of middle and high school students should also give consideration for two optional vaccines; those are for meningitis and HPV. The CDC states that all 11 to 12 year olds should be vaccinated against meningococcal disease, with a booster at age 16. The meningitis vaccination is especially important for those participating in sports teams that may likely be in close quarters and drink after each other. The HPV shot is recommended for 11 to 12 year old boys and girls and aids in protecting both from certain types of cancers and genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is recognized that teens who become active sexually have an 80-percent chance of contracting HPV. Prevention is a key to stop this type of cancer.  One vaccine can stop this form of cancer for boys or girls and prevent the spread of disease in future partners.

Preventing diseases, being prepared and taking personal responsibility are three important areas of health every Floridian has the power to control and change. Floridians can take responsibility for their child’s health by engaging in preventive health behaviors, such as eating well, getting daily doses of physical activity, and staying current with immunization shots. For more information regarding immunizations and other preventive health measures, please call 850-872-4455 or visit the Bay County Health Department website at FloridaHealth.gov or follow us on Twitter at @FLHealthEmerald. For details on immunization requirements, call 1-877-888-7468 or visit ImmunizeFlorida.org.

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