Coastal health departments offer summer vaccination, screening events for Georgia students before school starts

FILE - A nurse prepares a syringe of a COVID-19 vaccine at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., Tuesday, July 19, 2022. On Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, a panel of U.S. vaccine experts said COVID-19 shots should be added to the lists of recommended vaccinations for kids and adults. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) (Rogelio V. Solis, Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – In order to help parents avoid the back-to-school rush, county health departments in the coastal district are hosting summer vaccination and screening events for Georgia students.

Students entering pre-K/Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 11th grade are required by Georgia law to receive certain vaccines before attending school.

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Any child entering a Georgia school for the first time, regardless of their grade, has to complete vision, hearing, and dental screenings.

Students who don’t comply 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,” Paige Lightsey, Immunization Program Manager for the Coastal Health District said. “We want to help families avoid that stress by encouraging them to visit their local health department this summer, when schedules are more flexible.”

Special health departments are hosting vaccination and screening events as a convenience for parents and students.

Vaccines and school screenings are routinely available at all health departments in the Coastal Health District by appointment. You do not have to be vaccinated in your county of residence.

If an appointment is not available in your county you can 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. Be sure to contact your county health department for more details.

2025 School Vaccination and Screening Opportunities in the Coastal Health District

Bryan County - Richmond Hill

  • July 8: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Vaccines and screenings
  • 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Richmond Hill
  • Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 756-2611

Bryan County - Pembroke

  • July 21: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Vaccines and screenings
  • 430 Ledford Street, Pembroke
  • Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 653-4331

Camden County

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

Chatham County

  • July 7: 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  • July 24: 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Vaccines and screenings
  • 101 Winding Road, Kingsland
  • Appointments preferred but not required. Schedule by phone: (912) 882-8515

Effingham County

  • July 10: 8:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
  • July 24: 8:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
  • August 7: 8:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
  • 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:

  • Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (closed 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.)
  • Friday, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
  • Closed the last business day of every month for staff training.
  • No appointment is needed.

Liberty County

  • June 26: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • July 17: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • July 24: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 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: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • July 24: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. -5 p.m.
  • August 21: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Vaccines and screenings
  • 584 N. Macon Street, Ludowici
  • Appointments required. Schedule by phone: (912) 545-2107

Mcintosh County

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