CONTACT Tim Bullis
Director, Community Relations
748-1433
Aug. 26, 2008

For immediate release

Tdap boosters required for incoming sixth-grade students

In Virginia, incoming sixth-grade students must get a Tdap immunization if at least five years have passed since their last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. Students will not be allowed to attend classes until their school receives documentation of immunization.

Chesterfield students who need a Tdap booster may visit the Chesterfield County Health Department, 9501 Lucy Corr Circle. Immunization hours are 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 9-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. on Thursdays (on Sept. 4, vaccinations will not be given in the morning). Parents must bring their children’s immunization records. No appointment is necessary at the Health Department, and Tdap shots are free for students required to have them for school attendance. For more information, call 748-1691 or 768-7454. Immunizations are also available from doctor’s offices.

Tdap protects children from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. In Virginia, parents must provide documentation of Tdap or a tetanus-containing booster vaccination to middle schools before classes start Sept. 2. The only exception is that a doctor may provide a temporary, written medical exemption for students who are not yet 11 years old when they start sixth grade. However, Tdap should be administered to these students as soon as possible after their 11th birthday.

To reach rising sixth-grade students, Tdap clinics took place at every Chesterfield County elementary school last spring. Chesterfield County Public Schools has used several methods to communicate Virginia’s Tdap requirements to parents of incoming sixth-grade students: Printed information about Tdap requirements and immunization clinics went home with every rising sixth-grade student before schools dismissed for summer break. Parents of rising sixth-grade students have been notified repeatedly by phone about Tdap requirements and clinics, and several school newsletters included the information as well.