CLAY COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health in Clay County urges parents and guardians to have their children immunized as the new school year approaches. DOH-Clay will hold their annual Back to School Immunization Drive Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 1-12, at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to arrive sooner, as doors may close early based on high demand. The fairgrounds are located at the Clay County Fairgrounds 2497 State Road 16 (Building 3) in Green Cove Springs.

The Clay Health Department will offer all required vaccinations at no cost for students within the Clay County School District. Students entering seventh grade require a T-DAP, and all students require an updated Florida Certification of Immunization (DH680) form documenting receipt of vaccinations.

According to county resolution 2020/2021-102 AM2, there will be a $12 fee for any child receiving a DH680 or DH681 form without vaccine services. Vaccines help develop immunity to many serious infectious diseases by enabling the body to recognize and fight vaccine-preventable diseases. The following vaccines are required for children entering preschool and grades K-12: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, polio, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B. Students entering college should check with the health services at their college regarding immunization requirements.

Bring all current immunization records and a photo ID. Children under 18 years of age need to be accompanied by a natural or adoptive parent, legal custodian, legal guardian, or person who possesses a power of attorney to provide medical consent for the minor. A step-parent, grandparent, an adult sibling of the minor, an aunt, or an uncle can bring the minor child in for immunizations if they have written consent from a natural or adoptive parent, legal custodian, legal guardian, or a person who possesses a power of attorney to provide medical consent for the minor and we can reach that person by phone.