Immunizations
The Georgia Immunization requirements
The Georgia Department of Public Health has delayed the new 11-grade vaccination requirement of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4) until school year 2021/2022.
Columbia county public schools require students entering grades K-12 to submit a valid Certificate of Immunizations, Form 3231, to the school. This certificate must reflect the official 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.
The GA 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 or Religious Exemption Form 2088 prior to attending school.
For students new to Georgia, a justified waiver of 30 calendar days can be granted by the Superintendent or designee. This will allow 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:
1. DPH Form 3231 showing a child is vaccinated as required by the state of GA for childcare or school attendance.
2. Religious Exemption DPH Form 2208 (new form to be used beginning 2015 school year for any new objection/entry to GA school). 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. More information and Religious Exemption Form 2208 can be found at:
Please contact the Columbia County Health Department @ 706-868-3330 for questions or concerns with the DPH Form 2208 or DPH Form 3231.
3. 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 the Certificate 3231 within the time allotted shall 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)
Meningococcal vaccine (MCV4)