Volusia County, Fla. - To help parents avoid lines for back-to-school shots, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Volusia County encourages parents to get their school-aged children vaccinated now instead of waiting until August.

"In late-July, lines will be longer as parents are getting their children ready to return to school," said Patricia Boswell, DOH-Volusia administrator. "Throughout the summer, our nurses are providing immunizations for children entering kindergarten and 7th grade. Parents can avoid those late-summer lines by coming in early."

Classes resume in Volusia County Schools on Monday, August 15.

Immunizations now are offered at four DOH-Volusia locations:

• Daytona Beach: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday and Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 1845 Holsonback Drive.

• DeLand: 8 to 11 a.m., Wednesdays, 931 N. Spring Garden Avenue.

• Deltona: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday and Thursday and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 3151 Howland Boulevard.

• New Smyrna Beach: 1 to 4 p.m., Mondays, 717 W. Canal Street.

In late-July, the department will extend hours for back-to-school immunizations at its clinics, Boswell added. Even so, demand will be significantly higher.

"We're hoping to motivate parents to not delay. Vaccinate today," Boswell said.

New and transferring students, kindergarten students, and those entering seventh grade must provide proof of immunizations to the school before children can receive a schedule or enter school on the first day of classes.

Parents are encouraged to bring shot records with them when requesting immunizations.

For more information and immunization locations and hours, please visit www.volusiahealth.com.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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