SARASOTA COUNTY - Public health and school officials remind parents to get their child’s immunizations updated before school resumes on Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. By the time a child starts school, he/she should have already had a number of required immunizations. Proof of updates and series completion is required to enter Sarasota County Schools for the first time and to advance to some grade levels.

Parents of children entering schools in Sarasota County for the first time must provide a completed Florida Certification of Immunization (DH 680). The DH 680 form is available through your health care provider or the Sarasota and North Port locations of the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota). 

Students who do not have the required immunizations will be sent home from public schools on the first day, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015.  In addition, they will not be able to ride the bus or participate in sports, band or other extracurricular activities until the school has the DH 680 form showing that they received the required immunizations.  

The DOH-Sarasota, through the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, offers immunizations to eligible children at no cost. No appointment is needed. A parent or legal guardian must be present, and must bring prior shot records. Immunizations are also available at no charge to children with insurance. Please bring your insurance card information.

Immunizations are available at the following locations:

William L. Little Health and Human Services Center
Hours: Call 941-861-2900
Walk-In Immunization Clinic 
2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota

North Port Health Center
Hours: Call 941-861-3864 
Walk-In Immunization Clinic
6950 Outreach Way, North Port                        

For more information:

• DOH-Sarasota Immunization Clinics:  www.sarasotahealth.org
• DOH-Sarasota’s Office of School Health at 941-927-9000, ext. 32101.
• School Vaccine Requirements Schedule: http://www.sarasota.k12.fl.us/schoolhealth.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities.  View the complete policy at www.scgov.net/ADA/Pages/default.aspx

MEDIA NOTES: DOH-Sarasota Media Contact: Dianne Shipley, 941-861-2852; cell 941-302-1058; DOHSarasotaNews@FLHealth.gov Website: www.sarasotahealth.org Sarasota County Schools Media Contact: Scott Ferguson, 941-927-9000, ext. 31148, cell: 941-539-6938; Scott.Ferguson@sarasotacountyschools.net