The Chatham County Health Department is hosting two after-school meningitis vaccine clinics for rising high school juniors in April and May. All students in Georgia who are at least 16 years of age are required to have a meningococcal booster shot when entering 11th grade. Students can be denied school entry in the fall if vaccinations aren’t up to date.
The meningococcal booster shot events will be held April 25th and May 2nd from 3-6 p.m. at the Eisenhower Clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive. Appointments are required.
Dr. Sierra Peebles, nurse manager of the Chatham County Health Department, hopes parents will take advantage of these events and avoid frustration in the fall. “The last thing most parents are thinking about right now is the back-to-school rush, but it has a way of sneaking up,” said Peebles. “Every fall we see a huge last-minute demand for these vaccinations which can cause a lot of unnecessary stress. If you have a 10th grader who is already 16 years old, it would be a great idea to take care of this booster shot requirement now.”
Appointments can be scheduled online at coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/chatham-teenclinic or by calling the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2441. A parent or guardian must accompany the child to the appointment. Most insurance will be accepted, and a nominal administration fee will be charged for those without insurance. These online appointments are ONLY for meningococcal booster shots for teens. Please call the clinic directly for all other vaccine appointments.
The meningococcal booster shot helps prevent meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection that is very serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours. Meningitis is a swelling of the brain and spinal cord and can result in brain damage, hearing loss, or worse. Disease levels increase in adolescence starting around age 11, and peak around age 19 years. Georgia students already receive a meningococcal vaccination before entering 7th grade, and this booster vaccine will provide added protection during these peak years of risk.
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