The Chatham County Health Department will hold a meningitis vaccination clinic for teens October 15 at Windsor Forest High School, 12419 Largo Drive, Saturday, October 15, 9am - 3:30pm. This clinic will help local students get up to date on required school vaccines. This fall, all Georgia students going into 11th grade who are at least 16 years of age must receive a booster shot to protect against meningitis.
“This new booster shot requirement became effective last summer," said Chatham County Health Department Nurse Manager Dr. Sierra Peebles, “but this school year will be the first time the requirement is strictly enforced. We want to make this easy and convenient for families, so we've scheduled several special clinics for teens who need this booster."
Appointments are required and can be scheduled online at coastalhealthdistrict.org/teenclinic or by calling the Chatham County Health Department at 912-356-2441. A parent or guardian must accompany the child to the appointment. Parents should present a valid insurance card at the time of vaccination. Most insurance will be accepted, and a nominal administration fee will be charged for those without insurance.
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 new booster will provide added protection during these peak years of risk.
Students who are not immunized will be unenrolled.
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