Immunizations

ALLEGHENY COUNTY NEW SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

The Allegheny County Health Department has informed all school districts located within the county that there are new immunization regulations for the 2008-09 school year.  These regulations affect all students in grades K – 12.    You were notified of these new regulations during the 2007-08 school year, or upon registration at South Fayette Township School District. Official documentation of these immunizations must be submitted to the school nurse by April 25, 2009.  If your child currently lacks these immunizations, he/she is now enrolled on a provisional basis until such time that proof of vaccination has been submitted to the health office. 

Questions regarding fulfillment of these new requirements should be directed to your child’s physician or the Allegheny County Health Department.   Childhood immunizations are administered free of charge to children through 18 years of age at the Allegheny County Vaccination Clinic located at 3441 Forbes Avenue in Oakland.  Phone 412-578-8062 for hours of operation.  Forms requesting medical or moral/religious exemptions to the immunization law can be obtained from your school nurse. 

If you believe you have received a notice from the school nurse in error, please contact your child’s school nurse. 

NEW REGULATIONS FOR 2008-09

ALL grades (K-12):

4 doses of tetanus, with 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday; 3 doses if series started after 7 years of age

4 doses of diphtheria, with 1 dose on or after the 4th birthday; 3 doses if series started after 7 years of age

3 doses of polio

2 doses of measles

2 dose of mumps

1 dose of rubella (German Measles)

3 doses of hepatitis B

*2 doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or written statement from physician/designee indicating month and year of disease or serologic proof of immunity.  Your child lacks the second dose.

Grades 7 – 12 (in addition to the above vaccines):

*1 dose of meningitis vaccine (MCV4)

*+ 1 dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)

*many students currently lack official documentation of these immunizations

+Adolescents aged 11 – 18 who received Td, but not Tdap, should wait an interval of at least 5 years between TD and Tdap to reduce the risk for local and systemic reactions after Tdap vaccination. [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)]

Contact your private health care provider, the Allegheny County Health Department (412) 578-8060, or www.county.allegheny.pa.us/achd/ for further information.