Jacksonville, Florida - August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This month provides an excellent opportunity for the Florida Department of Health in Duval County (DOH-Duval) to educate parents on the importance of keeping up with routine childhood vaccinations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19, such as stay-at-home and virtual learning orders have led to decreased use of routine preventive medical services, including immunization services. Ensuring that routine vaccination is maintained or reinitiated during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks. Routine vaccination prevents illnesses that lead to unnecessary medical visits, hospitalizations, and further strain the healthcare system.

“We are hearing parents say they are skipping or postponing vital immunizations because their child is attending school virtually and not on site,” said Dr. Pauline Rolle, Interim Health Officer and Medical Director of DOH-Duval. ”We understand there has been a lot of confusion out there due to the pandemic; National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to set the record straight: it does not matter how or where your child attends school - they should continue to receive routine childhood vaccinations, not only to protect them but also to protect the community.”

The best defense against preventable diseases is vaccination. Vaccines help develop the body’s ability to fight germs, which cause certain infectious diseases. Measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, varicella, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, meningococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) are all preventable by vaccine.

Many common childhood and adult diseases are easily spread from one person to another; they are particularly dangerous to very young children and the immunocompromised, who have low resistance to infection, and are more likely to develop serious health complications and, occasionally, death.

Vaccination Schedules by Age 

Based upon the appropriate age group for when the dosage is most effective, community members are advised to follow the vaccination schedules, below:

Schedule for birth through six years old

Schedule for seven to 18 years old

Schedule for adults

The Florida Department of Health in Duval County conveniently offers vaccinations. To promote social distancing and reduce the likelihood of crowds, an appointment is required; uninsured, Medicaid, and private insurances are accepted. To schedule an appointment, please call 904-253-1130.

DOH-Duval Immunization Center Locations 

Center for Women and Children
515 West 6th Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32206

South Jacksonville Immunization Center
3225 University Boulevard
Suite 200
Jacksonville, Florida 32216

Pearl Immunization Center
5322 North Pearl Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32208

Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walk-ins: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

See all DOH-Duval locations.

About the Florida Department of Health 

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.