PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Tyree Cherry, of Lehigh Acres, is ready for his seventh grade immunization. All seventh graders must receive this immunization or they will not be admitted to school on Aug. 24.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is advising and urging all parents of students entering seventh grade to update their children’s immunizations now before the rush. Public schools start in Lee County August 24, 2015.

“Taking care of these important immunizations now will ensure everyone gets to enjoy the first day of seventh grade as they should,” said Kim Wester, immunizations manager for DOH-Lee. “We also recommend meningitis and HPV vaccines when they get their seventh grade Tdap booster to prevent devastating and unnecessary illnesses in the future.”

All students entering seventh grade must have a Tdap booster before attending classes. Students not properly immunized by the first day of classes will be sent home. You should see your private provider, or come to DOH-Lee for vaccines or to update a child’s shot record, officials said.

All vaccines for children 18 years old and younger are free, and administered without appointments from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at DOH-Lee, 3920 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers. Parents must bring their child’s immunization records.

Beginning August 10 the immunization clinic will open an hour earlier at 7 a.m. and remain open to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The extended hours will end at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24.

PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE CITIZEN Eddie Bennett, of Lehigh Acres, prepares to get his seventh grade immunization shot.

You can avoid long lines, and make sure your child has everything needed to start school on time by getting required immunizations now. Limited appointments are available by calling 239-461-6100, officials said.