New Tennessee Immunization Requirements: Parents Urged to Immunize EarlyChattanooga, TN- The Tennessee Department of Health has issued new immunization requirements this year for children enrolling in preschool, kindergarten, and seventh grade or for new students entering Tennessee schools. In addition to more required vaccines, children in these groups must also present a new Immunization Certificate in order to enroll in a Tennessee school in the fall. The new vaccines required by the state to attend school and child care facilities are already among those routinely recommended for all children by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, so most young children have already received them. Immunizations are one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to protect children against childhood diseases, and Tennessee law requires documented immunizations, without which children may be prevented from attending childcare, school, or college.“We are continuing to protect more young children and adolescents than ever before from vaccine-preventable diseases that can cause serious illness or death,” says Nettie Gerstle, Communicable Disease Program Manager for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. She continues, “These new requirements will build awareness among parents of the health benefits of these vaccines and their importance in sustaining and promoting the health of children and the community.”Contact your medical provider or the Health Department to obtain any needed vaccinations and the new school Immunization Certificate. For parents’ convenience, the Health Department will be offering extended clinic hours on May 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ooltewah, Sequoyah and 3rd Street clinics. Vaccinations are also available during regular clinic hours on a walk-in basis at all Health Department clinic sites.Effective July 2010, Additional Vaccine Requirements for students enrolling in: Daycare/Pre-SchoolHepatitis AHepatitis B H.Influenza type B (Hib)Pneumococcal (PCV)KindergartenPolio – final dose on or after the 4th birthdayVaricella (chickenpox) – 2 doses or verified immunity by the child’s physician or the Health DepartmentSeventh GradeTetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (Tdap)Varicella (chickenpox) – 2 doses or verified immunity by the child’s physician or the Health DepartmentNew enrollees in a Tennessee school other than Kindergarten or 7th grade:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTap or DT, if appropriate) -Continued on Page 2-Measles, mumps, rubella, (2 doses) Polio – final dose on or after the 4th birthdayVaricella (chickenpox) - 2 doses or verified immunity (by child’s physician or Health Department)Hepatitis B For locations and clinic hours call 209-8393 or visit our website at http://health.hamiltontn.org.
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