IMMUNIZATION CHANGES FOR THE FALL

Four new vaccines are required for children who attend preschool, licensed child-care centers and sixth grade (or the equivalent). They are:

Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis)
PCV (Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine)
Flu vaccine
Meningococcal vaccine

• Every child born on or after January 1, 1997 and entering or attending 6th grade (or a comparable age level special education program) will need to have received one dose of Tdap given no earlier than the 10th birthday. But kids who received a Td booster less than five years before this time are not required to have a Tdap dose until five years have gone by from the time of the Td dose.

• Every child 2-11 months of age attending any licensed child-care center or preschool  shall have received at least two doses of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), or fewer doses as is medically-appropriate for that child’s age

• Every child 12 months through 59 months of age in a child-care center as of Sept. 1, 2008 shall have received at least one dose of PCV on or after their first birthday

• Kids 6-59 months of age in a child-care center or preschool on or after Sept. 1, 2008 need to receive at least one dose of flu vaccine during the fall of 2008 and then each year following while still enrolled in daycare or preschool

• Each child born on or after January 1, 1997 and entering 6th grade (or a comparable age level special education program) needs to have one dose of a meningococcal-containing vaccine

Please see your healthcare provider to make sure your child is ready to start daycare, nursery school or school in the fall.