We here at

the Health Department hope that our fellow Fayette Countians are enjoying

a wonderful, safe, and exciting summer vacation. Unfortunately, all summers

must make way for fall at some point, and all too soon the school year

approaches.

As you are

most likely aware, there were some changes made by the State of Georgia

in the immunization requirements for children entering school. Health

Department staff realizes that these changes and the immunization program

in general can be quite confusing especially for parents who are enrolling

a child for the first time. Let us try to simplify.

Every child

admitted for the first time to a public school operating in Georgia will

need to bring with him/her a "Certificate of Eye, Ear, and Dental

Examinations" (Form 3300). The child must undergo the exam and have

the form signed by a physician, or by health department personnel.

Every child

admitted to any school in Georgia must have a Form 3231 or "School

Certificate of Immunization." The form can be filled in by the physician's

office if your child received shots there, or the health department can

complete it.

However, if

a child has had shots at more than one facility or office, or if you would

like health department personnel to fill out the form for you based on

shot records from another facility, you must remember to bring all your

child's shot records with you.

If you do not

have records of the child's previous shots, but you know the name, address,

and phone number of the physician; we can ask the office to fax the records

to us so that they can be transcribed.

However, school

officials will not be able to admit your child to a Georgia school unless

the child has a School Certificate of Immunization which shows the appropriate

number and types of vaccines; which have been given at the appropriate

time intervals; and at the appropriate age.

Children entering

kindergarten are required to have two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, and

Rubella) vaccine, which were administered on or after their first birthday.

In addition, Varicella (Chickenpox) immunization or proof (by verbal history

given by the parent ) that the child has had the disease is required for

school entrance.

Children born

after January 1, 1992 are required to have three (3) doses of Hepatitis

B vaccine at school entry. A child entering the Georgia school system

for the first time at any age from 5 to 19 is required to have all of

the above.

Any student

who has not previously had two MMR vaccines, and has not received Varicella

immunization (or given a history of having had chickenpox) must show proof

of these before entering sixth grade.

If the child

is currently attending a Georgia school and therefore already has a Georgia

Certificate of Immunization on file at his/her school, then once the child

receives the second MMR, and proof of Varicella disease or immunity is

provided. This can be documented on a Supplemental Vaccine Certification

Form (Form 3189). This form can be obtained from a physician's office

or at the health department, and is a supplement to not a replacement

for the Form 3231 or 3032 that the child already has on file.

If the child

is entering the Georgia school system from out of state: all immunizations

can be documented on a Form 3231. Out-of-state physician signatures are

not accepted on Georgia Certificates of Immunization unless the physician

is licensed to practice in the State of Georgia.

These are the

major points of the Georgia School Immunization Program. Help make your

back-to-school transition a smooth one by calling your physician or health

department to insure that your child's shot record is up to date, and

that you have the proper forms.

The 2001-2002

school year will begin Aug. 10, which is fast approaching. Since most

offices, including the health department, are appointment-driven operations,

planning ahead can help you avoid long waits and/or the possibility of

not being able to get an appointment before school starts.

The Fayette

County Health Department staff thanks you for your support in keeping

the children in our community healthy. We wish you a wonderful and exciting

2001-2002 school year.

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