New School Immunization Requirements

These new school requirements for the 2010/2011 school year are as follows:

• Children entering the 7^th grade will need a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus and diphtheria (TD) booster.
• Children entering kindergarten will need a 2^nd dose of varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine.
• Children entering Kindergarten must have received their 4^th dose of polio after their 4^th birthday.

Tdap vaccine protects against pertussis (also known as whooping cough), a severe respiratory illness that causes violent, rapid coughing that can last for extended periods of time.  Cases of pertussis, which mostly occur in school settings, nearly doubled in Ohio between 2008 (628 cases) and 2009 (1,096 cases).

Like pertussis, varicella (known as Chickenpox) is a vaccine-preventable disease that continues to sicken Ohio’s school-age children.  A second dose of varicella vaccine provides a child with a 99 percent protection against the disease. 

ODH hopes these new Ohio vaccine requirements will minimize the spread of preventable illnesses in schools and provide Ohio’s children with a healthier environment to learn.

As children generally develop risks for more disease as they approach their teen years the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) currently recommends 3 vaccines.  These vaccines are recommended for administration beginning with your child’s 11-12 year-old check up (or as soon as possible).

• Menigococcal vaccine (MCV4) - Meningococcal meningitis is a very serious infection of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.   Meningococcal infections can cause loss of an arm or leg and even death. 
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine- HPV disease can cause genital cancer and death.  It is spread through sexual contact with an infected person. It is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women. As of December 2009 males (ages 9-26) are also advised to receive the vaccine. 
• Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (T-dap) - Pertussis or whooping cough is a highly contagious illness that is spread by coughing and sneezing.  Anyone can catch pertussis and spread it to others.  Teens may be sick for weeks and spread it to others.

The Clermont County General Health District will be offering Immunization Clinics for Adolescents during the summer months to provide immunizations to children ages 11-19 years of age who need the Tdap vaccine as well as any other of the vaccines now recommended for this age group. If you would like to schedule an appointment for vaccinations for your child, or would like more information, contact us.