Palm Beach County Schools: Immunizations your child will need

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

7:11 PM EDT, July 21, 2008

Students entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third and fourth grades need the varicella (chicken-pox) vaccine. It's the first year fourth-graders must have the vaccine. Hepatitis B vaccines are required for all students from pre-kindergarten through12th grade.

Students in all grades, including pre-kindergarten, also need two doses of measles, one dose of mumps and one dose of rubella, which may be given as a two-dose MMR. They also must have complete five doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP) series and a fourth dose of polio series (OPV or IPV).

The only acceptable record of immunizations is the DH Form 680. It should include the student's name, birth date, parent or guardian's name, vaccines and the dates those shots were given, as well as the providing doctor's name and signature.

Religious or medical reasons for not having a specific immunization must be listed as well. All children, from birth to 18, may receive free vaccinations from the Health Department. Bring your child's current record of immunizations along with his or her Social Security card or other documentation of the Social Security number if the card is unavailable. Without current records, all immunizations must be repeated. For information, call (561) 840-0147.