Back-To-School Preparations Must Include Up-To-Date Immunizations, USA

Main Category: Immune System / Vaccines
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 07 Aug 2008 - 4:00 PST

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The Alabama Department of Public Health reminds parents that Alabama law requires children to be up to date on their vaccinations prior to attending school.

Vaccinations currently required for school entry are polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox. Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type b) vaccine is required for daycare as well. Parents need to present documentation on the Certificate of Immunization or "blue slip" to the school showing the month, day and year that their child received their vaccinations.

A new requirement for students entering the seventh grade for the 2008-2009 school term is that they show documentation either of the date they had chickenpox disease or the date they received the varicella vaccine that protects against chickenpox.

Adolescents and college students should be vaccinated, also. Parents should make sure their adolescents and young adult children heading off to college are up-to-date on MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), varicella, and hepatitis A and B vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that preteens and adolescents get the following immunizations:

- Tdap which provides protection against pertussis (whooping cough) along with tetanus and diphtheria.
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) which protects against invasive meningococcal disease.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for preteen and adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer in adulthood.

Contact your medical provider or your local county health department for more information. Additional information about school immunization requirements for children can be accessed at the Alabama Department of Public Health Web site: http://www.adph.org/Immunization.

Alabama Department of Public Health