Kindergarten to secondary level students will have to meet new requirements before the fall of 2009
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- There are some new immunization requirements that will effect the school year starting this fall.
The changes have been made, so Texas schools adhere to what the Centers for Disease Control and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, recommend for all elementary and secondary students across the state.
Hepatitis A vaccine, beginning August 1st of 2009, all students entering kindergarten will be required to have 2 doses of this vaccine.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella, (MMR) vaccine, beginning in August 1st of 2009, all students entering kindergarten must have 2 doses of the MMR vaccine.
Varicella vaccine, or chickenpox, all students entering kindergarten and 7th grade must have 2 doses of the varicella vaccine. A history of the varicella or immunity of varicella written in a statement from parents, nurses, or physicians may be used in lieu of the vaccine.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and accellular pertussis or Tdap vaccine, all students entering the 7th grade will be required to have one dose of the Tdap vaccine. Depending on the time elapsed since the last booster shot, some kids in the secondary level 8-12 may need a booster of the Tdap.
Meningococcal vaccine, all students entering the 7th grade will be required to have one dose of this vaccine.
All of the above changes will be required by August 1st of 2009, and apply to all students in the state of Texas.
"It's very important to get your child vaccinated for the prevention part of it also another reason to get your child vaccinated is because it's required for school and so you do it now, the faster you do it before we hit August 1st, the less likely your child will miss any school because they are not vaccinated," said Hector Mendoza, Assistant Director of Public Health Department in Amarillo.
The help out with these immunizations the Amarillo health department and the Caring for Children Foundation Care Van, will be out in the community providing immunization opportunities coming up later this month.
May 12, 2009, at Glenwood Elementary, 2407 S. Houston in Amarillo, will host immunizations from 2:30 to 6:30 PM.
May 13, 2009, at Bushland ISD, 200 Wells in Bushland, immunization opportunity from 2:30-4:30 PM.
May 19, 2009, at Hamlet Elementary, 705 Sycamore st. in Amarillo, immunizations offered from 2:30-6:30 PM.
May 26, 2009, at Reeves-Hinger Elementary, 1005 21 St. in Canyon, immunizations from 2:30 - 6:30 PM.
Clinics are also offered every Friday at the City of Amarillo Department of Public Health, 1411 E. Amarillo Blvd, in Amarillo from 8-11 AM and 1-4 PM.
