Immunization requirements for entry into school in the state of Ohio have changed.  Effective with the Fall of 2010-2011 school year, all 7^th graders will be REQUIRED to have a Tdap vaccine.  Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).  Previously, students were required only to have received 3 or 4 doses of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine prior to entry into kindergarten.  This means that prior to starting school this fall your current 6^th grader will need to get a Tdap booster before he/she can start 7^th grade.  This change affects all public schools in the state of Ohio.

                As a reminder, all 7^th grade students are also required to have had 4 doses of polio vaccine, 2 doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, and 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine.  Please check your child’s immunization record to make sure that he/she has received all of the required vaccines.

In addition to the required vaccines, it is recommended that all students receive a meningococcal vaccine (Menactra) between 11 and 18 years of age, and that all females receive three doses of human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) beginning at age 11 years.  The HPV vaccine was also recently approved for use in males ages 9 through 18 years.

All of the above vaccines are available at the Clinton County Health Department.  Children who are uninsured or whose health insurance does not cover immunizations are eligible to received vaccines free or at a reduced cost through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.   Immunization clinics are held at the Clinton County Health Department every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8-9 a.m., every Wednesday afternoon from 1-2:45 p.m. and the second and fourth Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

If you have questions regarding your child’s immunizations, please call your school nurse, the health department (nursing department, 382-7221), or your child’s physician.