The DeKalb County Board of Health encourages parents to get their children ready for the new school year.  City of Decatur schools begin Monday, August 2, 2011.  DeKalb County and city of Atlanta schools begin Monday, Aug. 8.

Georgia law requires children enrolling in day care or school to have specific vaccinations and screenings.  A child entering a day care center or private or public school in DeKalb County, the city of Decatur or the city of Atlanta for the first time must submit the following completed forms:  Georgia immunization form 3231 and Georgia screening form 3300.

Students entering a public or private college or university should check the institution’s requirements.  Most colleges and universities require specific immunizations that can be secured at affordable fees from any health center

Immunization records should be brought to the health center or to the doctor’s office.  Vaccinations and screenings are available at all four of the Board of Health’s centers.  The centers are open Monday through Friday from 8:15 a.m. until 5 p.m. and no appointment is necessary.  In addition, all health centers will be open for extended hours the week before and when the new school year begins.

EXTENDED HOURS: The extended hours are from 8:15 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on:  August 2, 3, 4 and August 8, 9, and 10. Extended hours for dental services will be available on August 2, 3, 8 and 9 ONLY. Individuals requiring dental services can be seen at the Central and North Health Centers during this time.

The fees are as follows: immunizations – cost varies by immunization; vision screening – $10; hearing screening – $10 and dental screening – $10.  Payment for health services may be made by cash, a debit/credit card or a check on a Georgia bank.  Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids are accepted.

The Board of Health centers, where immunizations can be obtained, are:

• Central DeKalb (Vinson) Health Center, 440 Winn Way, Decatur,
  (404) 294-3762
• East DeKalb Health Center, 2277 S. Stone Mountain-Lithonia Road, Lithonia,
  (770) 484-2600
• North DeKalb Health Center, 3807 Clairmont Rd., Chamblee,
  (770) 454-1144
• South DeKalb (Clifton Springs) Health Center, 3110 Clifton Springs Rd., Decatur,
  (404) 244-2200

The main DeKalb County Board of Health number is (404) 294-3700

Birth certificates of persons born in Georgia are available for $25 from the Board of Health’s Office of Vital Records, room 191, Richardson Health Center, 445 Winn Way, Decatur.  Regular office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  A Georgia driver’s license or state identification card is required.  Only a legal parent, grandparent or guardian can obtain a birth certificate for a child under 18 years old.  Payment for certificates can be made in cash or by using a debit/credit card.  Checks are not accepted.  For more information on birth certificates, call (404) 294-3783.