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Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Getty Images

This Year’s Measles Outbreak Underscores the Importance of Making Sure Children Receive All of Their Vaccinations

February 22-28th is Georgia Preteen and Teen Vaccine Awareness Week. It’s a reminder that all children between the ages of 10 and 18 must adhere to the provisions of Georgia Department of Public Health Rule 511-2-2. Newly implemented in 2014, the rule requires that all children born on or after January 1, 2002, who are attending seventh grade, and children who are new entrants into a Georgia school in grades 8 through 12, must have received one dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4).

The requirement applies to children who attend public, private, charter, community, juvenile court and other alternative schools. Only children who are home schooled are excluded from the provision. The Georgia Department of Public Health’s preteen vaccination campaign is summed up by its slogan to parents—Make a date to vaccinate!

Fulton Health Services Director Dr. Patrice Harris says, “We’ve seen recently how those who are unvaccinated can spread infection to others, especially in a school setting. Immunization is the most effective way to prevent infection and the spread of very preventable diseases.” Dr. Harris wants Fulton parents and guardians to know that the required vaccines are available at these Fulton County Health Centers during the hours of 9:00am-to-4:00pm Monday through Friday:

  • Adamsville Regional Health Center – 3700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., SW, Atlanta, 30331

o 404-613-4215

  • Center for Health and Rehabilitation – 265 Boulevard., NE, Atlanta, 30312

o 404-612-5835

  • College Park Regional Health Center — 1920 John E. Wesley Avenue, College Park, 30337

o 404-765-4155

  • Neighborhood Union Health Center — 186 Sunset Avenue, Atlanta, 30314

o 404-612-4665

  • North Fulton Regional Health Center – 3155 Royal Drive, Alpharetta 30022

o 404-612-1876

  • North Fulton Service Center Health Center — 7741 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 30350

o 404-612-0316

There’s more information about the “Make a Date to Vaccinate!” campaign at these websites: http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section or www.fultoncountygahealth.org.