Dallas ISD Announces Vaccination Requirements For 2008-2009

16 Jul 2008

All students are required to be immunized before school begins

DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District students must be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases prior to the start of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2008 to comply with guidelines established by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

All immunization records must be validated by a physician's signature or health clinic stamp. The month, day and year must be indicated on the record for each new immunization.

Designed to prevent childhood diseases, the immunization requirements for the 2008-2009 school year include:

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• Diphtheria-Tetanus Pertussis – Students under age 7, five doses of the vaccine are required unless the fourth dose was given on or after the fourth birthday. For students age 7 and older: three doses of the vaccine with one dose since the fourth birthday, and every 10 years thereafter.
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• Poliomyelitis – Four doses of the vaccine unless the third dose was on or after the fourth birthday.
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• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – Two doses with the first dose on or after the first birthday; second dose by age 5 or enrollment into kindergarten.
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• Haemophilus Influenza (Hib) Type B – For students 15 months of age through 4 years, one dose of Haemophilus Influenza type B conjugate since 15 months of age, or a series of three doses before 15 months of age with one dose after 12 months of age.
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• Hepatitis B – Three doses required for all students.
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• Varicella – One dose on or after the first birthday for grades kindergarten through four and seven through 10; two doses if vaccine is started at 13 years of age or older.
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• Pneumococcal – One dose after 24 months of age or a minimum of three doses after 12 months of age.
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• Hepatitis A – Two doses required for students age 24 months through prekindergarten. Kindergarten through 12th grade, two doses recommended, but not required.
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  The following are recommended vaccines. (Consult healthcare provider):
  
• Meningococcal – One dose recommended for students ages 11 – 12, and to previously unvaccinated adolescents at 15 years. Other high-risk groups and younger children may be eligible for the vaccine.
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• Human Papilomavirus – Two dose series with the first dose to females at age 11 – 12 and the second dose two months after the first dose. Adolescent females ages 13 – 18 years may receive the series if previously not vaccinated.
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• Influenza – Two doses for children ages 5 – 9 years receiving the vaccine for the first time. One dose for children ages 5 – 21 receiving the vaccine after previous year (s) of vaccinations.
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Exemptions:

Exemption from immunization requirements may be granted for medical or religious reasons. Under state law, parents may claim conscientious objection when requesting a waiver from immunizations for their children. Parents must ask the Texas Department of State Health Services in writing for the waiver and provide the original, notarized form to the school nurse or campus administrator before the child can be enrolled in school.

For more information regarding immunizations and free immunization clinics scheduled, check with the local school nurse.

A 30-day provisional enrollment is available only to the following student groups.

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• Students transferring from one Texas school to another Texas school.
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• Homeless students, students who are defined as homeless according to the federal McKinney-Ventro Act 42 U.S.C. Section 111434a.
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