Milton, Fla. - As we approach the beginning of another school year, the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) would like to remind parents to review their children's shot records to ensure they have had the vaccines required to attend school in the state of Florida. Vaccines are provided at no fee for eligible children aged 2 months through 18 years at county health departments in Florida through the Vaccines for Children Program.

Vaccines help develop immunity to many serious infectious diseases by enabling the body to recognize and fight vaccine-preventable diseases. Children enrolling in Florida schools for the first time are required to have shots to protect against 11 vaccine preventable diseases; diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B, as well as proof of a physical examination. Students entering the seventh grade must have a tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster. 

DOH-Santa Rosa offers these vaccines by appointment, Monday through Friday during regular clinic hours, at its Milton and Midway locations. Parents are requested to bring a copy of their child’s shot record, and proof of any health insurance they may have, with them to the clinic. 

For more information, or to make an appointment, contact DOH-Santa Rosa at 850-983-5200 and select Option 3.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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