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New
School Year Begins in August!
Immunization Requirements for 2003-04
The new
school year begins Aug. 5 in Pinellas and Aug. 6 in Hillsborough
Counties. If you have a child in grades K-12, Florida requires
an up-to-date immunization record certified by the state to
begin school. You can view immunization requirements on the
Pinellas County School System web site at www.pinellas.k12.fl.us
in the Schools & Students section. Or contact your physician
or County Public Health Department for more information.
Why Do
Children Need So Many Shots?
Vaccines protect young children against 12 potentially serious
diseases such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella (German Measles),
Diphtheria, Tetanus (Lockjaw), Pertussis (Whooping Cough),
Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib Disease), Hepatitis
B, Chicken Pox, Hepatitis A and Pneumococcal disease.
Why Are
Vaccines Started at Such an Early Age?
Some of the diseases children are vaccinated against start
at a very early age. The ages at which vaccines are recommended
are not random. They are scheduled to give children the most
protection against disease.
What If
My Child is Behind Schedule?
It's not too late to have your child immunized. Most of the
recommended shots can be given at any age, and if your child
has gotten behind it doesn't mean he/she needs to start over.
Just contact your doctor or public health department.
For more
information about how vaccines protect children from 12 childhood
diseases go to www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/parents-guide/default.htm.
You can register for a free 94-page guide to immunizations
or print a PDF version of it.
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