Beginning Monday, parents can get their children vaccinated for free from a number of diseases by going to the local Health Department.

Between Monday and Friday, the health department in Pearl River County, located on U.S. 11 just past the Pearl River County High School, will provide the vaccinations for free.

Vaccinations offered will include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, haemophilus influenza type B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, hepatitis A and B, HPV, pneumococcal, meningococcal and rotavirus to name a few, according to a release from the Mississippi State Department of Health.

The immunizations are free to children 18-years-old and younger.

School district personnel say it is not only a good idea to get children immunized, but also required in order to enroll them in school.

Pearl River County Assistant Superintendent Nina Gutherie said immunizations prevent the spreading of diseases in young children.

“The Health Department has been very good to issue those,” Gutherie said.

Picayune Separate Municipal School District Assistant Superintendent Brent Harrell said a new regulation was introduced last year that states children entering the seventh grade are required to get their booster vaccinations. Without proof of vaccination, school districts can not enroll the student.

“It’s important that they do that in order to become enrolled in school,” Harrell said.