As summer wraps up, it’s a good time to review what immunizations you and your family need, especially if you have young children. This is because immunizations are required for children entering kindergarten and seventh grade, as well as high school students entering college in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health website.
The Florida Department of Health in Indian River County provides childhood immunizations for local residents and may be free for children two months through 18 years who qualify for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. If you live in Indian River County and would like more information about where you can take your child to get immunized, please call the Florida Department of Health in Indian River County at 772-794-7425 to confirm current availability of vaccines.
Florida law now requires all children entering a public or private school to be immunized with the following vaccines to protect against childhood dreaded diseases:
- DTaP Vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough)
- IPV Vaccine (Inactivated Polio)
- HIB Vaccine (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Varivax Vaccine (Chicken pox)
- Td Vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria)
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
- Prevnar Vaccine (Pneumococcal Conjugate)
- DtaP Vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (whooping cough)
- IPV Vaccine (Inactivated Polio)
- HIB Vaccine (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
- Varivax Vaccine (Chicken pox)
- Td Vaccine (Tetanus, diphtheria)
- Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
- Prevnar Vaccine (Pneumococcal Conjugate)
But we know that children aren’t the only people who need to be vaccinated, adults do too. Immunizations are important for the health of our community, so be sure to check out the Florida Department of Health website: www.floridahealth.gov as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov where there’s plenty of information about vaccines recommended for adults (and kids), including updated information about COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
