March 13-19, 2016 is Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week!
Posted March 14, 2016 by NCHD Admin
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the purpose of Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is to help raise awareness and encourage preteens to make smart, healthy choices including defending themselves against vaccine-preventable diseases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC currently recommends the following vaccines for preteens and teens:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
- Influenza (flu)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)- three doses
- Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MenACWY)
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Regulations, all students born on or after January 1, 2002, entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into eighth through twelfth grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination. This law effects all public and private schools. The effect of many vaccine-preventable diseases would be diminished by widespread adolescent vaccination at 11 to 12 years, as recommended.
For more information on vaccinations, please contact the Immunization Coorinator, Judy McChargue at (478) 751-4151 or judy.mcchargue@dph.ga.gov