Immunizations
Columbia County School District requires students entering grades K-12 to submit a valid Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231) to the school. This certificate must reflect the official Georgia Immunization requirements at the time the child enters school, and the child will be subject to any updates of this certificate as specified by law. This certificate will be maintained throughout the child's attendance in the school system.
Form 3231 must be completed and signed by a licensed Georgia physician, Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, a qualified employee of a local Georgia Board of Health, or the Georgia State Immunization Office. Licensed military physicians can sign the Georgia Immunization form 3231. If the physician is on a military base, but not licensed in Georgia that person is also authorized under his federal employment to practice as long as it is related to his employment. According to The Georgia Composite Board for Georgia Physicians, they are allowed to sign Georgia forms, such as 3231 but they must enter vaccine information into the Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services (GRITS) system and students from the military based families must present a 3231 to enter Georgia schools.
Georgia students, new to Columbia County, are required to submit the Form 3231 prior to attending school.
Students new to Georgia, a justified waiver of 30 calendar days will be granted by the Superintendent or designee. This waiver allows the parent 30 days to get the proper immunization form to the school. The Columbia County Public Health Department will transcribe the out of state vaccinations records to a GA form 3231 for a nominal fee.
For a child to attend childcare facility or school in GA a parent can choose one of the following 3 options:
- Form 3231 showing a child is vaccinated as required by the state of GA for childcare or school attendance.
- Religious Exemption Form 2208. This form must be submitted as written; no alteration allowed. The form will not be valid if altered in any way. This form has no expiration date. Please contact your provider or the CCHD at 706-868-3330 for questions or concerns with the Form 2208 or Form 3231.
- Medical Exemption documented on Form 3231 completed by a physician. The certificate expires annually and needs to be replaced each year upon expiration. Children whose parents fail to present or renew Form 3231 within the time allotted will not be permitted to continue in attendance.
The State of Georgia has new immunization requirements all students entering the 7th grade and new Georgia students in grades 7-12. These students will be required to have the following additional vaccinations: Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) and Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4).
The Georgia Department of Public Health requires a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4) for all 11th graders on their 16th birthday. All students that are 16 years old need to plan to get the MCV4 booster vaccination. Please visit CCHD or your child's physician to receive required vaccines. In efforts to prevent absenteeism related to incorrect immunization status, please keep your child's vaccinations up to date!
Students that are 11 or 12 years old, require additional vaccinations to attend school. MCV4 (Meningitis) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) are the additional vaccines that are needed. Visit CCHD or your child's physician for vaccines needed for school entry.
1930 William Few Parkway
706-868-3330
Other Required Forms:
Hearing, Vision, Dental and Nutritional Screening Form 3300 is required to be presented to school authorities when a child is being admitted for the first time to public school in Georgia. Current law requires students to have Form 3300 on file within 3 months from the date of enrollment.
