Important Immunization Information

Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, according to WV State Law 64CSR95, all West Virginia students entering 7th grade will be required to have had one dose of the Tdap (tetanus, diptheris, and pertussis) and one dose of the meningococcal vaccines before the start of the school year. Students entering 12th grade must also have had at least one dose of the Tdap vaccine and a booster dose of the meningococcal vaccine. If the first dose of the meningocaccla vaccine was received after the age of 16, the booster dose is not needed.

7th Grade

Vaccine	Requirement	Grace Period
Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis)	Proof of Booster Dose	NONE
MCV4 (menigococcal/meningitis)	Proof of 1st Dose	NONE

12th Grade

Vaccine	Requirement	Grace Period
Tdap (tetanus, diptheria, pertussis)	Proof of Booster Dose	NONE
MCV4 (menigococcal/meningitis)	Proof of One or Two Doses*	NONE

*Must have second dose if first was received before the child's 16th bithday.

Please click HERE for detailed chart from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diptheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Young children are protected when they get the Tdap vaccine but protection wears off as kids get older so adolescents need the Tdap vaccination.

The meningococcal vaccine prevents bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the lining around the spinal cord that is caused by a serious bacterial infection.

These new adolescent immunizations requirements will lengthen the time for which immunized students are protected.

The vaccines can be given by your health care provider during the routine adolescent check up. Teen without a health care provider may receive the vaccine from the local health department or a school based health center. Most types of health insurance will cover immunizatioins. If, however, you have insurance that does not cover routine immunizations or you do not have health insurance, the vaccines are provided free of charge from your local heatlh department.

When your child receives the vaccine(s), it is imperative that you give the school a copy of the record so that it can be recorded in their file. There is no grace period allowed in the law for students to attend school without having received the vaccine(s). Please get your child's immunizations and send an updated record to school by May 1st so that our records can be updated and your child may attend school the first day of the new school year.

If you have any questions please call your school's nurse or your local health department.