It is almost time to head back to school. An Immunization Certificate is required for children enrolling in pre-school, kindergarten and seventh grade, or for new enrollees in a Tennessee school. Immunizations are one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to protect children against childhood diseases. Tennessee law requires documented immunizations; otherwise, children may be prevented from attending childcare, school, or college.

"The increases in pertussis (whooping cough) cases and incidences of disease outbreaks that have recently taken place across the country illustrate it is now more important than ever to protect our infants, children and adolescents from vaccine preventable diseases. The single most important way to do this continues to be immunizations,” said Nettie Gerstle, communicable disease program manager for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department. 

Contact your medical provider or the Health Department to obtain any needed vaccinations and a school Immunization Certificate. Vaccinations are available during regular clinic hours on a walk-in basis at many Health Department clinics. For locations and clinic hours call 209-8393.      

Children enrolling in child care facilities, pre-school, pre-kindergarten

Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due by 18 months of age.

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Varicella (1 dose or history of disease)
• Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only
• Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older

Children enrolling in kindergarten

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday
• Varicella (2 doses or history of disease)
• Hepatitis A –total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 months apart

All children entering 7th grade (including currently enrolled students)

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”) – not required if a Td booster dose given less than 5 years before 7th grade entry is recorded on the DTaP/Td line
• Verification of immunity to varicella – 2 doses or history of disease

Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than kindergarten or 7th

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday
• Varicella (2 doses or history of disease)
• Hepatitis B (HBV)

Full-time Tennessee college students

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR): if born on or after January 1, 1957 only.
• Varicella (2 doses or history of disease): if born on or after January 1, 1980 only.
• Hepatitis B (HBV) – only for health science students expected to have patient contact (before patient contact begins).

Students should also consider the need for the meningococcal vaccine, particularly if the student will be living in a dormitory.

To learn more about vaccines and immunizations visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/. For more information on immunization services offered at the Health Department, visit the website http://health.hamiltontn.org/ClinicalServices/CDS/CDS.aspx.