In order to be in class on the first day of school, students must get the required immunizations.

The requirements have changed, therefore parents need to check and verify whether their children are up-to-date with the required shots, whether they are returning to their previous schools or are new in the Lee County District.

Students who do not have the required immunizations will be sent home from public schools on the first day, Aug. 24, according to Jennifer James-Mesloh, spokesperson for the Florida Department of Health. 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 the shots were received.

Among new requirements for this year is the need for a second vaccine for chicken pox (varicella) for students entering kindergarten and first grade. Also, students entering seventh grade now need a tetanus booster (T-dap).

Parents should also make sure their college-bound teenagers are up-to-date with the required and recommended vaccines.

These vaccinations are given free of charge by the Lee County Health Department at two locations in Lee County:

– 3920 Michigan Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

– 83 Pondella Road where an appointment is needed, but same day service is offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call the Lee County Health Department’s Office of Immunizations at 239-332-9601.

Required for kindergarten and grades 1-6:

– 5 DTPs [diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) (DTaP)] vaccine

– 4 Polio

– 2 MMRs (2 measles, 2 mumps and 2 rubella)

– 3 Hepatitis B

– 1 Varicella (chicken pox) for Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

– 2 Varicella (chicken pox) Kindergarten and Grade 1

For grades 7-12

– 5 DTPs [diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)]

– 1 Tdap (tetanus diphtheria) (grade 7)

– 1 Tdap or Td (grades 8-12)

– 1 Varicella (chicken pox) for Grades 7-8 students only