Putnam Health Department Hosting Student Immunization Clinics

With school a few weeks away, it’s time for families to start planning for student immunizations.

Putnam County Schools Nurse Coordinator Janet Frank said it is state and federal law for students to have an updated record.

“Technically, every student in the school system should have immunizations or have a waiver for them,” Frank said. “We’re predominately looking at our Kindergarten students. They should have got their five-year-old shots, and then we’re also looking at our 7th graders who need a Tdap booster.”

Frank said there is still plenty of time to get your student prepared. Frank said the Putnam County Health Department will host a immunization clinic on August 9th and 11th.

“We really want them to try to remember the immunizations, because that is a big push by our nurses in the school system,” Frank said. “We realize that sometimes you get caught up in summer and you don’t realize, so there is a little bit of leeway to it, but we would like to have everybody done by the end of August.”

Frank said the school system will also partner with the health department once school starts to offer clinics. Frank said permission slips would be sent home with students when they occur.

Frank said students that have moved from other states will need their record transferred to a Tennessee form. Frank said you can get this accomplished through a pediatrician or the health department.

Frank said families can also apply for religious or medical exemption.