Seventh graders are now required to have the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal (meningitis) vaccines prior to entering school.Children born on or after January 1, 2002 who are attending seventh grade and new entrants into Georgia schools in grades 8 through 12 must have received one dose of Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. (“New entrant” means any child entering any school in Georgia for the first time or entering after having been absent from a Georgia school for more than 12 months or one school year).

Shots are available at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties. Go to www.nghd.org to find the nearest county health department’s location and phone number.

For more information about this and all school required immunizations, go to the Georgia Department of Public Health http://dph.georgia.gov/schools-and-childcare.