No Shots--No School--No Kidding: Immunizations are Law
By: Steven Herrera, District Nurse
June 27, 2008
Once again, Lytle ISD is taking a “no shots, no school, no kidding” stance on immunizations as the District begins gearing up for the start of the 2008-09 school year. Texas law states all public school children must have up-to-date immunizations or they will not be allowed to return to school on August 25, 2008.
“While we do not want any child to miss school,” says District Health Services Director Steven Herrera, “it is imperative that parents fulfill their responsibility and get their children immunized. It is the law.”
Required immunizations for 2008-09 include:
DTP/DTaP/DT/Td – Five doses required for entry kindergarten students unless the fourth dose was received after the fourth birthday. Students age 7, starting their vaccine, are required to have three doses. TD: booster every 10 years.
Polio – Four doses of IPV are required for kindergarten students unless the third dose was received after fourth birthday. It can be any combination of OPV or IPV. Not required of 18-year old students.
Measles – Two doses of measles vaccine are required. First dose must be administered on or after the first birthday. Second dose by age 5 or entry into kindergarten. Physician confirmation of illness is not acceptable; only a serological (blood test) confirmation is accepted.
Rubella – One dose of vaccine on or after the first birthday or serological (blood work) confirmation of rubella immunity.
Mumps – One dose of vaccine on or after the first birthday. Vaccine required for all students through 18 years of age.
HIB – Three doses of Haemophiles Influenza type B vaccine and a booster if given before child is 15 months or one dose of vaccine if given after 15 months. Vaccine given through 4 years of age.
