Parents, Don’t Forget School Immunizations for Children

With school starting in Williamson County in a few days, making sure your child is up-to-date on their shots is important prior to the first day of school. Tennessee has made some changes to requirements, and with the outbreak of measles this past school year, parents are urged to comply.

Well visit appointments book up fast as the start of school approaches, health care professionals urge families to call sooner than later to schedule appointments for vaccinations.

Dr. Andy Lee, Brentwood Children’s Clinic shares, “We recommend trying to make appointments as soon as possible. There are multiple reasons for the busy schedule; older children need sports physicals and younger children need immunizations to get into school.”

Williamson County, like other Tennessee districts, has strict guidelines laid out for parents to follow. To see a list of all requirements, and see fact sheets about important medical issues, visit Williamson County Schools  Health Services.

Immunization requirements apply to any student enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time including all Kindergarten students. Requirements also apply to all rising seventh graders. “The recent measles outbreak is a wake-up call,” said TDH Commissioner John Dreyzehner, MD, MPH. “Vaccines protect our children and vulnerable children around them. If your child still needs vaccines for school, getting them now is much easier and less stressful than when clinics are busy with the last-minute rush.”

“Clinics are not running short on vaccines and in many clinics it’s much easier to get an appointment,” said Tennessee Immunization Program Director Kelly Moore, MD. “This is also the time for a complete well-child physical and to make sure your child is up to date on all recommended vaccines, not just required ones. Your child can enjoy the rest of the summer and start the school year on time, fully prepared for healthy learning.”

Here are the requirements for school vaccinations in Tennessee: Kindergartners and other children enrolling in a Tennessee school for the first time must provide schools with a complete Official Tennessee Immunization Certificate before classes begin. The certificate must be signed by a qualified healthcare provider or verified by the state’s immunization information system.

All current students entering seventh grade are required to give the school a limited Official Tennessee Immunization Certificate showing they have had a second dose of chickenpox vaccine (or a history of the illness) and a booster shot for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. The HPV cancer vaccine and first meningococcal meningitis vaccine are also recommended, but not required for school, for this age group.

Immunizations required for school are readily available from most healthcare providers across the state, including county health departments. Children younger than age 19 may be eligible for free vaccine if they have no insurance, are enrolled in TennCare, have private insurance that does not cover vaccines or are American Indian or Alaska Native.

For complete information regarding Tennessee requirements, visit tn.gov/health

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