Daytona Beach, FL - School begins on August 12 for both Volusia and Flagler county students. Volusia County Health Department Communications Manager Holly Smith said local health department waiting rooms are busy every day with children who need their school immunizations.
Smith said parents of children going into kindergarten, seventh grade or who are new to the district, need proof of immunization. She said that you can get that proof at the Health Department. Staff can even help get the proof if you're new to the state of Florida. If your child is in need of immunizations, those are given free of charge at the Health Department
There are required immunizations and there are also some that are recommended. The list can be found on the Health Department's website and includes DTaP, or Diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis, MMR, or Measles-mumps-rubella, chickenpox and the polio vaccine. Smith said an immunization is not required for Hepatitis A but with 174 cases reported in Volusia County, it should be considered.
Smith said the Health Department clinics located in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Orange City do not take appointments for immunizations. Find more information on what immunizations are provided for students by the Florida Department of Health.
