Parents are urged not to wait since now is the time to get required immunizations for your children so they can start school. Before children can register for school, parents must provide documentation showing proof of vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), hepatitis B and polio diseases. 

Proper proof is considered a Florida Certificate of Immunization (form 680), which can be obtained from your physician or your local public health department. 

Effective in 2011, children will need to have a fourth polio vaccination, after their fourth birthday, which has to be given before they start kindergarten. If the fourth dose of the polio vaccine is administered prior to the fourth birthday, a fifth dose of polio vaccine is required for entry into kindergarten.  In addition, children entering kindergarten through sixth grade will need two varicella (chicken pox) vaccines.

In compliance with all other required immunizations, children entering, attending or transferring to the seventh through 12th grade in Florida schools must complete one dose of the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

To help parents get their children ready to go back to school, the Florida Department of Health in Lake County will offer immunizations for no cost at the following locations Aug. 9 and Aug. 16. A parent or guardian must bring the child's current shot records.

Aug. 9
Umatilla Health Center
249 E. Collins St.
Umatilla, FL
Phone: 352-771-5500
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Leesburg Health Center
2113 Griffin Road
Leesburg, FL
Phone: 352-360-6548
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Aug. 16
Umatilla Health Center
249 E. Collins St.
Umatilla, FL
Phone: 352-771-5500
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.       

Clermont Health Center
875 Oakley Seaver Drive
Clermont, FL
Phone: 352-989-9001
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.                                          

The Florida Department of Health in Lake County is also offering basic physicals for school, camp and sports at the Umatilla Health Center, Home of the Gateway Community Health Network Inc., located at 249 E. Collins St., in Umatilla. 

The physicals will be offered Monday through Friday by appointment only for $25. Current immunizations record is required.

For additional information, call the Umatilla Health Center at 352-771-5500.