SCHOOL HEALTH Immunization Updates The Tennessee Department of Health has new rules for immunization requirements for those who attend child care, pre-school, school and college, which became official on December 9, 2009. The changes are listed in the Tennessee Department of Health rules.
Children enrolling in child care facilities, pre-school, pre-Kindergarten Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due by 18 months of age. Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate) Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) Measles, Mumps, Rubella (1 dose of each, usually given together as MMR) Varicella (1 dose or history of disease) Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only (This requirement is resumed immediately, following suspension during a national Hib vaccine shortage 2008-2009) Hepatitis B (HBV) (July 1, 2010) Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only (July 1, 2010) Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older (July 1, 2010) Children enrolling in Kindergarten Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate) Hepatitis B (HBV) Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR) Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday now required Varicella (2 doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required (July 1, 2010) Hepatitis A–total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 months apart (July 1, 2011) All children entering 7th grade (including currently enrolled students) Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”) – not required if a Td booster dose given less than 5 years before 7th grade entry is recorded on the DTaP/Td line (no later than October 1, 2010) Verification of immunity to varicella – 2 doses or history of disease (July 1, 2010) Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than Kindergarten or 7th Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate) Measles, Mumps, Rubella (2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR) Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday now required Varicella (2 dosesor history of disease) – previously only one dose was required Hepatitis B (HBV) – previously only for Kindergarten, 7th grade entry |