Immunizations
ATTENTION PARENTS
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE CHANGES TO PENNSYLVANIA'S IMMUNIZATION LAW
THESE CHANGES BEGIN WITH THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR
PLEASE REFER TO THE CHART BELOW FOR THE KEY CHANGES
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For attendance in all grades |
By the first day of school, your child must be current with their immunization schedule (see key change) |
Key Change: Previously 3 doses of Polio were needed, now a 4th dose is required |
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For attendance in 7th grade |
On the first day of 7th grade, your child must receive these immunizations (see key change). This should be done when medically appropriate during the 6th grade year. |
Key Change: 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) 1 dose of MCV (meningococcal conjugate) |
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For attendance in 12th grade |
On the first day of 12th grade, your child must receive these immunizations (see key change). This should be done when medically appropriate during the 11th grade (age 16-18). |
Key Change: 2nd dose of MCV series |
Based on these changes from the Department of Health, your child must have the updated required medically appropriate immunizations or a plan to complete those immunizations signed by the physician. If your child does not have proper documentation or a signed plan they are at risk of exclusion from school. If your child has already received the immunizations please provide documentation to the nurse's office at your child's school. If your child does not have the immunizations you need to have your primary care provider fill out and sign the immunization card/medical plan with the dates your child will be receiving the missing required immunizations. The proof of missing immunizations or the immunization card/medical plan must be submitted within the first 5 days of school.
If you are having difficulty with acquiring these immunizations, or are uninsured, the Department of Health can assist. Please call to schedule an appointment at 610-821-6770 or 1-877-724-3258.
The health room staff realizes this can be confusing and overwhelming. Please, if you have any questions or require assistance please do not hesitate to call the nurse's office at your child's school.
Below you will find the complete list of required immunizations beginning with the 2017-2018 school year including the new regulations:
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has minimum immunization requirements for all students.
ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE:
4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis*
(1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
4 doses of polio
(4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)**
2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella***
3 doses of hepatitis B
2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity.
* Usually given as DTP or DTap or if medically advisable DT or Td
** A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose
*** Usually given as MMR
FOR ATTENDANCE IN 7TH GRADE:
1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, accelular pertussis (Tdap)
1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
FOR ATTENDANCE IN 12TH GRADE:
1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV), (this would be in addition to the 7th grade dose)
ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:
Your child must have the updated required medically appropriate immunizations or a plan to complete those immunizations or risk exclusion from school.
If your child does not have the required immunizations your student's primary care provider must fill out and sign the immunization card/medical plan with the dates your child will be receiving the missing required immunizations (Click on link below.)
Immunization card/Medical plan
These requirements allow for the following exemptions: medical reason, religious belief, or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction.
Even if your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be excluded from school during an outbreak of vaccine preventable illness.
MORE INFORMATION:
If your child requires immunizations please consult with your health care provider. Most insurance plans are required to pay for mandated immunizations. If your child does not have insurance, you can call the Lehigh County Department of Health at 610-821-6770 or 877-724-3258 to arrange for free or reduced immunizations.
More information can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Health Immunization page
School Vaccination Requirements
