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 occurrence of disease outbreaks , such as measles, 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 Connie Buecker, Communicable Disease program manager for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.
Officials said, "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 the hours for the East Third Street Clinic (921 E. 3rd Street), call 209-8050; for the Ooltewah Health Center, located at 5520 High Street, call 238-4269; for the Sequoyah Health Center, located at 9527 W. Ridge Trail Road, call 842,3031; and, for the Birchwood Clinic, located at 5625 Highway 60, call 961-0446.
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 seventh grade (including currently enrolled students)
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”) – evidence of one Tdap dose given any time before 7th grade is required regardless of Td history.
- 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 seventh
- 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.
- Meningococcal – 1 dose given at 16 years of age or greater if enrolling in a public institution for the first time and under 22 years of age and living in on-campus housing; private institutions set their own requirements for this vaccine
- Hepatitis B (HBV) – only for health science students expected to have patient contact (before patient contact begins).
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 our website http://health.hamiltontn.org/ClinicalServices/CDS/CDS.aspx.