Students get required vaccines just in time with back-to-school health fair
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Students get required vaccines just in time with back-to-school health fair
Hundreds of Dougherty County students will head back to school with updated health screenings and required vaccinations. Families were offered essential services such as immunizations, vision, hearing and dental screenings at the event. Families who attended also received free school supplies, clear backpacks and food. The health department is encouraging parents to make sure their children meet Georgia’s vaccination requirements before the first day of school. For a list of required and recommended vaccinations, click here. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Hundreds of Dougherty County students will head back to school with updated health screenings and required vaccinations thanks to a major effort by the county’s health department.
The Dougherty County Health Department (DCHD) hosted their annual back-to-school health fair on July 26 for families to get critical health checks just in time for the new school year.
While services weren’t free, families were offered essential services such as immunizations, vision, hearing and dental screenings at the event. Families who attended also received free school supplies, clear backpacks provided by the Dougherty County Police Department, food, haircut vouchers and other giveaways.
“We always want to offer incentives for people coming to an event like this,” Brooke Stewart, the County Nurse Manager, said. “We want to get them in the door, and then we can educate them about the vaccines and then hopefully, get them vaccinated.”
Health officials said that staying current on vaccinations is critical to preventing the spread of communicable diseases, many of which are preventable and in some cases, have been nearly eliminated, thanks to vaccines.
“So, vaccine recommendations differ based on the child’s age, health history and what vaccines they have received prior,” Hope Kelley with the DCHD explained. “It takes a lot of time and is often very difficult to tell which vaccines they are due for based on just their age. But you can always stop by, and we would be happy to tell you what they need.”
The health department is encouraging parents to make sure their children meet Georgia’s vaccination requirements before the first day of school.
For a list of required and recommended vaccinations, click here.
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