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Last updated on Monday, February 25, 2013
(UNDATED) - Parents of school-age children can expect a change to their students’ vaccinations schedule before the 2013-2014 school year.
State health officials are requiring students entering kindergarten to have two measles vaccinations and recommending two vaccinations for hepatitis A.
The state also is recommending a booster shot for meningitis for all students in the 11th and 12th grades for the next school year.
For the 2014-2015 school year, it will be required that all students entering kindergarten have two vaccinations for chickenpox and hepatitis A, and for 12th-grade students, the meningitis booster will be mandatory. Once the two chickenpox and hepatitis A inoculation are received, the child won't be required to get additional vaccinations.
Hepatitis A, which is a viral infection of the liver, is caused by contaminated food or water. Long said it is not common in the U.S., but is common in foreign countries.
A meningitis vaccination already is required for students in the sixth to 12th grades, but the state is now requiring a booster. Long said the booster shot received in the 12th grade will protect a student through college.
Parents can refuse to have their children vaccinated based on a religious objection. It is then up to each school system to determine if they will permit the student to attend school without the mandatory vaccinations. State officials prefer schools be compliant with the vaccination requirements.
Student vaccinations
• Kindergarten - Hepatitis B (3 doses); diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis (5 doses); polio (4 doses); measles, mumps & rubella (2 doses); chickenpox (2 doses); recommended two doses of hepatitis A.
• Grades 1 to 5 - Hepatitis B (3 doses); diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis (5 doses); polio (4 doses); measles, mumps & rubella (2 doses); chickenpox (2 doses).
• Grades 6 to 10 - Hepatitis B (3 doses); diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis (5 doses); polio (4 doses); measles, mumps & rubella (2 doses); chickenpox (2 doses); tetanus & pertussis (1 dose); meningitis (1 dose).
• Grades 11 and 12 - Hepatitis B (3 doses); diphtheria, tetanus & pertussis (5 doses); polio (4 doses); measles, mumps & rubella (2 doses); chickenpox (2 doses); tetanus & pertussis (1 dose); meningitis (booster).
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