Dallas ISD Announces Updated Vaccination Requirements For 2009-2010

15 Jul 2009

All Students Required to be Immunized Before School Begins

ALLAS—Students in the Dallas Independent School District must be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases prior to the start of classes Monday, August 24, 2009, 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 2009-2010 school year include:

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• Diphtheria-Tetanus Pertussis/Tetanus-Diphtheria-acellular-Pertussis containing vaccine Tdap – Students under age seven, five doses of the vaccine are required unless the fourth dose was given on or after the fourth birthday. For students age seven and older: three doses of the vaccine with one dose since the fourth birthday. Students in grade seven, one dose of Tdap only if it has been five years since previous dose of Tetanus-containing vaccine, and students in grade eight through12 booster dose of Tdap if it has been 10 years since previous dose of Tetanus-containing vaccine.
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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 five or enrollment into kindergarten.
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• Haemophilus Influenza (Hib) Type B – For students 15 months of age through four 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 with two doses for students in kindergarten and 7th grade.
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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 12 months through kindergarten with first dose received on or after the first birthday. First through 12th grade, two doses recommended, but not required.
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• Meningococcal – One dose vaccine for all students entering 7th grade.

The following are recommended vaccines. (Consult healthcare provider):

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• Human Papillomavirus – Two dose series with the first dose to females at age 11 through 12 and the second dose two months after the first dose. Adolescent females age 13 through 18 may receive the series if previously not vaccinated.
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• Influenza – Two doses for children ages five through nine years receiving the vaccine for the first time. One dose for children ages five through 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, 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-Vento Act 42 U.S.C. Section 111434a.
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  The third belief adopted by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees is: "We believe that educational equity and excellence will eliminate the achievement gap."

  For a complete list of core beliefs, visit the Web site at http://www.dallasisd.org/about/vision.htm