PENSACOLA, FL – The Florida Department of Health in Escambia County (FDOH-Escambia) reminds parents to protect their children’s health and prepare them to return to school. Children entering Escambia County, Florida schools must be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Additionally, children entering the seventh grade are required to receive the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

“School requirements aside, keeping current on vaccinations is the best way to prevent many critical and fatal illnesses,” said FDOH-Escambia’s director, Dr. John Lanza. “Receiving the recommended vaccines, along with the annual influenza vaccine, not only plays a role in the health of the individual, but also reduces disease risk in our community.”

Children may be vaccinated at their physician’s office or at FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic. Parents of children needing school-required vaccinations are urged handle this matter as soon as possible in order to ensure that the child may be vaccinated prior to the start of school.

FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic is open Monday through Friday at 1295 Fairfield Drive in Pensacola. Parents wishing to have their child vaccinated at FDOH-Escambia’s Immunizations Clinic need to make an appointment. Appointments fill quickly and are same-day only.

Special clinics are also being held in additional locations, as follows:

Northside (Ensley)      8390 North Palafox, Pensacola, Florida

-       walk-in clinic on Thursdays from 8:00a.m. until 3:30p.m. (now through August 3, 2015).

-       same-day appointments, Monday through Friday from August 10 through August 21, 2015.

Molino                       3470 Highway 29 North, Cantonment, Florida          

-       same-day appointments, Monday through Friday from August 10 through August 21, 2015.

Persons wishing to schedule an appointment should call 850-595-6554.

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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.