New vaccine requirements for school
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March 3-9 is Preteen immunization week.
In our office, March is also the time when we start opening up the schedule for routine checkups that have been put off due to the winter illness season. I am hoping that the colds, coughs and flu have the courtesy to take a break now; alas this week that hasn’t been the case. When you come to the office for your annual exam, check to see if there are any school forms that you need for school entry next year. We waive form fees for most paperwork that is done in conjunction with a visit.
There are some new changes in the school requirements that you need to pay attention to.
Effective July 1 2019
Here are the school requirements. These apply to all students admitted to transitional Kindergarten as well as Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Diptheria, Tetanus and Pertussis- 5 doses
4 doses are adequate if one was given on or after the 4th birthday. 3 doses are accepted if one was given on or after the 7th birthday. For 7th-12th graders, at least 1 dose of pertussis containing vaccine is required on or after the 7th birthday.
Polio - 4 doses
3 doses are okay if one was given on or after the 4th birthday
Hepatitis B - 3 doses
Everyone should have these before kindergarten however this is not a requirement for 7th grade entry. If you had waived this series early on, it is now time to seriously consider protecting your child from this disease. It is much more high risk as they move into their teenage years.
MMR - 2 doses
In order to count, both doses need be be given on or after the 1st birthday. Some folks do the second one early due to travel. That is perfectly fine. If you gave an MMR before your child turned one, that does not count towards the required 2 doses
Varicella (chickenpox) - 2 doses
This is new. In the past only one shot was needed.
California schools are required to check immunization records for all new student admissions for transitional kindergarten/kindergarten through 12th grade, and all students advancing to 7th grade, before entry. Parents must show their child's Immunization Record as proof of immunization.
Personal belief exemptions are no longer valid for school entry here in California: https://www.shotsforschool.
Other pre-teen vaccinations that are not required, but strongly recommended:
HPV - 2 or 3 doses
The human papilloma virus is recommended for both preteen girls and boys. It prevents warts and more importantly several cancers of the reproductive system. The HPV vaccine works best when all of the doses are given well before the start of sexual activity, which can spread the HPV infection. Studies are suggesting that the younger you start this the better it works.
This vaccine is given as a series of 2 shots for kids who start the series before their 15th birthday. The two shots should be separated by 6-12 months. For folks who started it late, the 3 dose series has the second dose given 1-2 months after the first and the third dose 6 months after the first. The minimum interval between the first and second doses of vaccine is 4 weeks. The minimum interval between the second and third doses of vaccine is 12 weeks. The minimum interval between the first and third doses is 5 calendar months. If the vaccination series is interrupted, the series does not need to be restarted.
Menactra
Meningococcal vaccines protect against the devastating bacterial infection, meningococcal meningitis. The infection can lead to brain damage, arm and leg amputations, kidney damage, and death. It is more common among teens and young adults who are in close contact with others at home or school. Preteens need to get immunized now and again at age 16.
Flu
I know, the flu shot was no magic wand this year, but the folks who had the shots, while they still ended up with the flu, were not nearly as ill. Influenza can be deadly. During the 2017/18 season 80,000 people in this country died from the flu and flu complications such as pneumonia! Make sure your child has some protection. For the shot phobic out there (you know who you are!), keep your fingers crossed, but I am pretty sure the flu-mist nasal vaccine will be back next season.
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