Changes to Immunization requirements for 2010-2011
The Arkansas State Board of Health has updated the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization Requirements for the upcoming 2010-2011 school year. Children will be Required to receive a Tdap Booster before entry into seventh grade. Tdap is the abbreviation for the Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine.
The Immunization Rules and Regulations require Tdap vaccine for seventh grade entry. Arkansas continues to see a high number of Pertussis cases around the state; therefore, the two-year minimum interval allowed within the Rules and Regulations is being followed.
If a student has already received a Tdap vaccine or has received a Tetanus vaccine within the last two years, the Tdap vaccination will not be required at this time. The parent/guardian will need to furnish to the school nurse documentation to prove that the student received a Tdap previously or a Tetanus shot in the past two years.
For entrance to Kindergarten: At least four doses of Diphtheria/Tetanus/Acellular Pertussis (DTaP), Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP), or Diphtheria/Tetanus (DT pediatric) vaccine; at least three doses of Polio vaccine; two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine; three doses of Hepatitis B vaccine; and two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine without accepting history of disease in lieu of receiving Varicella vaccine (See Table II).
If the parent does not want the student to receive a required vaccination, then the parent Must request an exemption from the immunization requirement before the start of the 2010-2011 school year. Exemption forms may be requested from the Immunization Section at 501-661-2169 or via email at
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.
|
Vaccine ► -------------- Grade ▼ |
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP/DT/Td/DTaP/Tdap) |
Polio (OPV – Oral or IPV – Inactivated) |
MMR***** (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) |
Hep B |
Varicella |
|
Kindergarten |
4 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday) |
3 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
A child who has received 4 or more doses of polio vaccine does not have to have a dose after the 4th birthday. |
2 doses (with dose 1 on or after 1st birthday and dose 2 at least 28 days after dose 1) |
3 doses |
2 doses (with dose 1 on or after 1st birthday and dose 2 at least 28 days after dose 1)
No history of disease will be accepted in lieu of vaccine. |
|
Grades 1 – 12 |
3 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday) |
3 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
A child who has received 4 or more doses of polio vaccine does not have to have a dose after the 4th birthday. |
2 doses (with dose 1 on or after 1st birthday and dose 2 at least 28 days after dose 1) |
2** or 3*** doses (11-15 year olds could be on a 2-dose schedule) |
1 dose (on or after 1st birthday)
OR
A parent/guardian or physician history of disease may be accepted in lieu of receiving vaccine. |
|
Grade 7 |
3 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
and
1 dose of Tdap, if applicable**** |
3 doses (with 1 dose on or after 4th birthday)
A child who has received 4 or more doses of polio vaccine does not have to have a dose after the 4th birthday. |
2 doses (with dose 1 on or after 1st birthday and dose 2 at least 28 days after dose 1) |
2** or 3*** doses (11-15 year olds could be on a 2-dose schedule) |
1 or 2 doses (Depends on age: One (1) dose is required if given at less than 13 years of age. Two (2) doses, separated by 28 days, are required if dose 1 is given at or greater than 13 years of age.)
OR A parent, guardian or physician history of disease may be accepted in lieu of receiving vaccine. |
*Doses of vaccine required for school entry may be less than the number of doses required for age-appropriate immunization.
**An alternative two-dose hepatitis B schedule for 11-15 year-old children may be substituted for the three-dose schedule. Only a FDA-approved alternative regimen vaccine for the two-dose series may be used to meet this requirement. If you are unsure if a particular child’s two-dose schedule is acceptable, please contact the Immunization Section for assistance at 501-661-2169.
*** 3rd dose of hepatitis B should be given at least 8 weeks after the 2nd dose, at least 16 weeks after the 1st dose, and it should not be administered before the child is 24 weeks (168 days) of age. (All 3rd doses of hepatitis B vaccine given earlier than 6 months of age before 6/21/96 are valid doses and should be counted as valid until 6/21/2014.)
****A 5-year interval between Td and Tdap is encouraged to reduce the risk of local and systemic adverse reactions. The interval between Td and Tdap may be shorter than 5 years (but not less than 2 years) if protection from pertussis is needed.
Vaccine doses administered up to 4 days before the minimum interval for age can be counted as valid for doses already administered.
