Press Release
| For More Information Contact: | For Release: |
| Julie Armstrong, Health Educator | Date: 7-6-01 |
| Phone: (937) 642-2053 | |
| Fax: (937) 642-2080 |
Immunizations - Is your child ready to start school?
If your child is entering preschool, kindergarten, or 7th grade it’s time to check your child’s immunization record before the start of the 2001-2002 school year.
Vaccine preventable diseases still exist throughout the world, but are rare occurrences in the U.S. due to immunizations. Since there is always a potential for these diseases to be present in our community, it is extremely important that every child is protected. If your child is not compliant with these mandates, your child may be excluded from school. This exclusion rule is made to protect un-immunized children because they are at a higher risk of being exposed to diseases that other children are protected against.
There have been no changes to the immunization schedule from last year. The following are the requirements for entering these grades:
| Pre-school | Kindergarten | 7th Grade |
| 4 doses of DTaP | 5 doses of DTaP | 2 MMR |
| 3 doses of IPV | 4 doses of IPV | |
| 1 dose of MMR | 2 doses of MMR | |
| 3 doses of Hepatitis B | 3 doses of Hepatitis B | |
| at least 1 dose of HIB |
* DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, acellular Pertussis-whooping cough)
* IPV (Inactivated Polio Virus) formally given as oral (OPV)
* MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
* HIB (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)
Vaccines are very safe and can be given even if the child has a minor cold, earache, or low-grade fever.
If you have any questions about the immunization schedule, please consult your family doctor or the Union County Health Department. The Union County Health Department provides immunization clinics in Richwood and Marysville. The cost is $6.00 per vaccine (for county residents), and no one will be turned away for inability to pay.
For more information please contact the Health Department at (937) 642-0801 or toll free 1-888-333-9461 (for non-local calls). We want your child to have a safe and healthy school year. Get your child’s immunizations now before the back to school rush and long lines in August.