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With the start of a new school year only weeks away, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) wants to remind parents to do their homework and immunize their children against childhood diseases.
“Vaccinations protect children of all ages against deadly diseases. We thank all Mississippi parents who take the initiative to protect their children by immunizing them,” said State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 95 percent of parents nationwide choose to vaccinate their children.
Immunization requirements for children entering school in Mississippi for the first time include diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP); polio (IPV); hepatitis B; measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); and varicella (chickenpox). Parents must provide the school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) from their local health department or physician.
All required vaccinations are available at health department clinics throughout the state and through all Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers for a $10 administrative fee per vaccination.
Check with your physician or local county health department to see which immunizations your child will need. MSDH’s Immunization Program staff records immunizations received by individuals from public clinics and participating private doctors in the statewide Immunization Registry. Records for most children are available for parents and qualified professionals.
For more information on immunizations, call MSDH at 1-866-HLTHY4U (1-866-458-4948) or visit www.HealthyMS.com/immunizations.
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