Dallas ISD Students Must Show Updated Immunizations Record Prior To Or On The First Day Of School

26 Jul 2010

All Students Required to be Immunized Before School Begins

DALLAS—Students in the Dallas Independent School District must be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases by the first day of classes Monday, August 23, 2010, as required by law to comply with guidelines established by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Students must bring the updated immunization records to school prior to or on the first day of school to avoid missing classes for lack of immunization compliance. 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 2010-2011 school year include:

1. Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis/Tetanus-Diptheria-acellular-Pertussis containing vaccine Tdap:

• Students who started the series before age 7 years – Five doses, with one after the fourth birthday, unless the fourth dose was received after the fourth birthday, in which case only four doses are required.
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• Students who started the series after age 7 years – Three doses of any combination of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus.
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• Students in grade 7 one dose of Tdap if it has been five years since previous dose of Tetanus-containing vaccine.
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• Students in grade 8-12 booster dose of Tdap if it has been 10 years since previous dose of Tetanus-containing vaccine.

2. Poliomyelitis (to age 18 years):

• Four doses with one dose on or after the fourth birthday.
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• Three doses meet the requirement if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday.

3. Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR):

• One dose on or after the first birthday for students under age 4.
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• Two doses on or after the first birthday beginning in Pre-kindergarten – first grade.
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• Grades 2-12 are required to have two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, and one dose each of mumps and rubella vaccine.
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• Serologic confirmation of rubeola, rubella and mumps immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine.

4. Haemophilus Influenza Type B: (Students through age 4 years):

• One dose vaccine since 15 months of age through 4 years or a series of three doses before 15 months of age with one dose after 12 months of age.
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• Serologic confirmation of Hib immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine.

5. Hepatitis B:

• Three doses
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• Serologic confirmation of Hepatitis B immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine

Varicella:

• One dose received on or after the first birthday.
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• Two doses for all students entering Kindergarten thru first grade and seventh – eighth grades with first dose on or after first birthday.
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• Students who start varicella immunization after age 13 years – two doses are required.
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• Serological confirmation of immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine.
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• Previous varicella illness documented by a written statement from the parent or physician is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine.

7. Pneumococcal: (24 months to age 59 months):

• One dose after age 24 months or a minimum of three doses with one after 12 months of age.

8. Hepatitis A:

• Two doses are required for students entering Pre-Kindergarten – first grade with the first dose received on or after the first birthday.
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• Second through 12th grades, two doses recommended, but not required.
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• Vaccines given four days before the minimum age or interval are acceptable.
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• Serological confirmation of immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine

Meningococcal:

• One dose vaccine for all students entering seventh – eighth grade

Recommended vaccines (consult your health care provider):

• HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE – Two doses series with the first dose to females at 11-12 years 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 VACCINE – 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.

NOTE 1: A 30-day provisional enrollment is available only to the following student groups

• 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.

NOTE 2: A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by this rule. To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to the school. A school nurse or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in compliance and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered.

NOTE 3: Exemptions from immunization requirements may be granted on a medical basis or for reasons of conscience. A medical exemption, signed by the physician, is required annually if not otherwise stated by the physician. Exemption for reasons of conscience must be submitted on an affidavit provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Exemption for reason of conscience is granted for two years. Exemptions are not recognized in time of epidemics. Students will need to be immunized or cannot attend school in case of an epidemic declared by the Commissioner of Health.