Tennessee implements new
vaccination requirements

Students entering childcare facilities, pre-k, kindergarten, or seventh grade this fall will have a new set of immunization requirements. According to the State Department of Health, this is the first update to immunization requirements in ten years. Most of the new rules take affect on July 1.

New childcare, pre-k, and kindergarten children will be required to show proof of vaccination for Haemophilus influenzae type B (HBV), Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis B. Previously, these shots were recommended but not required.

Meanwhile, students entering seventh grade will be required to have a tetanus booster shot and show proof of immunity against chickenpox. This can be demonstrated by having a prior chickenpox diagnosis or by taking two doses of the vaccine.

The state is providing new official immunization certificates to doctors. After completion of the required vaccinations, a doctor will complete a certificate which will be given by the parents to the school as evidence of required vaccinations.

As with other required vaccinations, students may be exempted for medical and/or religious reasons. For more information, you can visit www.health.tn.gov.

Also this week in the House…

A resolution urging 911 call centers to accept text messages was approved by the House on Monday evening. House Joint Resolution 746 was drafted after other states began implementing technology within their 911 call centers to accept text messages. Idaho was the first state to begin accepting the text messages, and say the result has been very positive, especially for those who are hearing impaired.

Finance budget hearings continued this week, but the House has almost concluded hearing from the various departments regarding their budgets. In addition, an announcement was made Thursday morning that lawmakers can expect to the see the technical corrections bill, a revenue raising measure, as early as the first week in April.

House Bill 3007 encourages departments in state government to implement new strategies and innovative ideas in regards to saving money and operating more efficiently. The bill passed with an overwhelming majority of House members’ approval, and many House members signed on as co-sponsors of the legislation.