-Don’t wait until the last minute for mandatory back to school immunizations- 

Collier: The Department of Health in Collier County (DOH-Collier) encourages all parents and caregivers to check the immunization status and school requirements for their children. Collier County schools start on August 17, 2015. As children and families prepare to start another school year, it is critical that all students have their required immunizations. Immunization documentation on a DOH Form 680, Certification of Immunization, is required for all students in grades pre-Kindergarten (K) through 12.

“Avoid the rush! We recommend parents and caregivers call their child’s physician for an appointment or come to the Department of Health in Collier County now. Don’t wait until the week before school starts. Currently our waiting time is minimal, but the longer parents wait, the greater the likelihood of having to wait for an hour or longer in our lobby,” urges Donna Van Tol, immunizations coordinator for DOH-Collier.

Free immunizations for children through 18 years of age are available at the following DOH-Collier locations:

• Health Building, 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Naples
  Registration is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• 419 1st Street North, Immokalee
  Registration is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary. For questions, please call 252-8595 (Naples) or 252-7300 (Immokalee). Parents are asked to bring their child’s shot record when they come for immunizations.

Immunizations are one of the best ways to provide protection against vaccine preventable diseases. When an individual has been vaccinated with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommended immunizations they are not only protecting themselves, but they are also protecting their loved ones, families and neighbors from vaccine preventable diseases.