Tdap Booster

Tdap BOOSTER IS REQUIRED FOR 7TH -12th GRADE STUDENTS

Dear Parents of Rising 7th Grade Students:

In April 2018, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) changed the minimum recommended age for the tetanus, diphtheria, and a cellular pertussis (Tdap) adolescent booster vaccine from 10 to 11 years. As a result, a routine adolescent booster dose of Tdap should not be administered to students younger than 1 1 years of age.

To align with current ACIP recommendations, the 2019 General Assembly passed HB 2215 that changes the grade in which students receive Tdap vaccine from sixth to seventh grade. Students who received a Tdap immunization at age ten will not need another Tdap vaccine to enter seventh grade,

This legislation becomes effective July 1, 2019, and amends the Code of Virginia S 32.1-46.A.4 so that it will require: "A minimum of three or more properly spaced doses of a cellular pertussis vaccine. One dose shall be administered on or after the fourth birthday. A booster dose shall be administered prior to entry into the seventh grade. "

If your child has NOT had this booster vaccine you must provide the proper documentation prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year for this immunization. Phone calls or notes from parents are not acceptable forms of meeting this requirement. Please meet this requirement by providing the school with one of the following by August 7th, 2020:

  1. Proof of having the booster vaccine.
  2. A notarized religious exemption form with a raised seal or registration number.
  3. Medical exemption form signed by your physician indicating temporary or permanent exemption on the Virginia School Entrance Health Form.

The school division has the right to exclude your child from school if this requirement is not met. Teacher assignment or class schedules will not be given until this health information is shared with the school. If you are a 100% virtual learner, you will not get access to start the remote learning process until this requirement is met. If you need a copy of your child's current school immunization record, please request a copy from the nurse at your school but understand it may take up to 5 days to receive it.

This required immunization may be listed as any of the following: Tdap, Adacel or Boostrix. Please call your doctor or local health department if you have questions.

The Tdap immunization can be received at your doctor's office, military clinic, or local health department. The health department requires that you bring your most updated immunization record.