MIAMI – Florida Department of Health officials released their recommendations and requirements, as they encourage parents to protect their kids before their return to the 2019-20 school year.
Students who are new to schools in Florida must provide a certified immunization record, also known as the DH680 form, performed within one year before enrollment. Primary health care providers can also generate electronic immunization records.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, students as young as 4 years old can undergo the recommended immunization series.
In Florida, students as young as 11 years old, who are starting seventh grade, have new required vaccinations. That means updating the DH680 form or the electronic record.
The recommended meningitis ACWY two-shot series is at 11 and 16 years old and the HPV vaccine, also a two-shot series is before age 15 and within six to 12 months. Teenage boys can also get the HPV vaccine.
Florida is among the states allowing religious exemptions for the required immunizations against communicable disease through the written request of the parent and form DH 681. Florida doesn't have a philosophical exemption.
Permanent exemptions for medical contraindication to vaccination require a licensed physician's certification in writing on a Department of Health form. Homeless students get a temporary exemption for 30 school days.
Some back-to-school vaccination sites require copies of vaccination records and an insurance or Medicaid card. For more information, call 1-877-88-7468 or e-mail immunization@FLHealth.gov.
Here is where to get free vaccinations
BROWARD COUNTY
For details on where to get immunizations in Broward, click here.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County will be providing free back-to-school immunizations to babies, toddler and students younger than 18 years old at three locations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday call 786-845-0550.
- Downtown Clinic at 1350 NW 14th St.
- Little Haiti Health Center at 300 NE 80th Terr.
- West Perrine Center at 18255 Homestead Ave.