To help parents avoid the back-to-school rush, county health departments in the Coastal Health District are hosting special summer vaccination and screening events for children entering school this fall.

Students entering pre-K/Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 11th grade are required by Georgia law to receive specific vaccines before attending school. Additionally, any child entering a Georgia school for the first time, regardless of grade, must complete vision, hearing, and dental screenings. Students who don’t meet these requirements may be unenrolled from school.

“Every August, we get frantic calls from parents who suddenly realize their children need vaccines or screenings, but appointments are booked up for weeks,” said Paige Lightsey, Immunization Program Manager for the Coastal Health District. “We want to help families avoid that stress by encouraging them to visit their local health department this summer, when schedules are more flexible.”

Several health departments are hosting special vaccination and screening events as a convenience for parents and students. A list of all school clinic events is outlined below. However, vaccines and school screenings are routinely available at all the health departments in the Coastal Health District by appointment. Patients do not have to wait until one of these events for screenings or immunizations. Also, you do not have to be vaccinated in your county of residence. If a convenient appointment is not available in your county, you may call surrounding counties for additional availability.

“If you’re not sure if your child needs vaccines or school screenings, we can help,” said Lightsey. “We’ll gladly review your child’s immunization record and provide guidance. Now is the best time to check, so we encourage you to give us a call.”

Most health insurance plans cover the cost of required vaccines, and health departments accept many insurance plans. Low-cost vaccination programs are available for uninsured children. Contact your county health department for more details.

Vaccines and school screenings are routinely available at all the health departments in the Coastal Health District by appointment. Patients do not have to wait until one of these events for screenings or immunizations. Also, if a convenient appointment is not available in your county, you may call surrounding counties for additional availability.

Bryan County – Richmond Hill

• July 8, 8 am - 4 pm

• Vaccines and screenings

• 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Richmond Hill

• Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 756-2611

Bryan County – Pembroke

• July 21, 8 am - 4 pm

• Vaccines and screenings

• 430 Ledford Street, Pembroke

• Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 653-4331

Camden County

• July 7, 8am-10:30am and 1pm-3:30pm
• July 17, 8am-10:30am and 1pm-5:30pm
• Vaccines and screenings
• 101 Winding Road, Kingsland
• Appointments preferred but not required. Schedule by phone: (912) 882-8515

Chatham County

• July 17, 8am-5pm

• July 24, 8am-5pm

• School Screenings at NO COST

• 1395 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah

• No appointment needed for school screenings on these dates. For school vaccines, please call the health department at 912-356-2441 to schedule an appointment.

Effingham County

• July 10, 8:15am-11:15am and 1:15pm-6:15pm

• July 24, 8:15am-11:15am and 1:15pm-6:15pm

• August 7, 8:15am-11:15am and 1:15pm-6:15pm

• Vaccines and screenings

• 802 Hwy. 119 South, Springfield

• Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 754-6484

Glynn County

• Back to School vaccination and screening services are available as a walk-in service every day the clinic is open at the Glynn County Health Department. Walk-in hours are:

• Monday-Wednesday, 8am-4pm (closed 12-1)

• Thursday, 8am-6pm (closed 12-1)

• Friday, 8am-1pm

• Closed the last business day of every month for staff training.

• No appointment is needed.

Liberty County

• June 26, 8:30am – 6pm

• July 17, 8:30am – 6pm

• July 24, 8:30am – 6pm

• Vaccines and screenings

• 1113 E. Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville

• Appointments required.

• Schedule online at https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/liberty-school or by phone at (912) 876-2173.

Long County

• June 26, 8:30am-11:30am and 1pm-5pm
• July 24, 8:30am-11:30am and 1pm-5pm
• August 21, 8:30am-11:30am and 1pm-5pm
• Vaccines and screenings
• 584 N. Macon Street, Ludowici
• Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 545-2107

McIntosh County

• June 5, 1pm-6pm
• July 24, 1pm-6pm
• Vaccines and screenings
• 1335 GA Highway 57, Townsend
• Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 832-5473