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District, state stress immunization guidelines

State law and Pasadena school district policy require appropriate documentation of the following immunizations for all students, regardless of age or program, in Texas elementary and secondary schools for the 2009-2010 school year.

Documentation of immunizations must include day, month and year.  Vaccine doses administered less than or equal to four (4) days before the minimum interval or age shall be counted as valid.

Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis

Students 14 months and younger are required to have three doses of DTP/DTaP vaccine.  Students 15 months through 4 years are required to have four doses.

Students entering kindergarten are required to have five doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis containing vaccine, one of which must have been received on or after the fourth birthday.  Or, if the fourth dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday, only four doses are required.  Students seven years and older are required to have at least three doses tetanus-diphtheria containing vaccine, provided at least one dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday.  Any combination of three doses of a tetanus-diphtheria containing vaccine will meet the requirement.

One dose of Tdap vaccine is required for entry into 7th grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria containing vaccine.

Students enrolled in school (grades K-12) prior to August 1, 2004, and who received a booster dose of DTaP vaccine in the calendar month of or prior to their fourth birthday, shall be considered in compliance with DTaP series.

One dose of tetanus-diphtheria containing vaccine (preferably Tdap) is required within the last ten years for all other students. Td is acceptable for pregnant students.

Polio

Students 4 years old and older are required to show proof of four doses of polio vaccine one of which must have been received on or after the fourth birthday.  Or, if the third dose was administered on or after the fourth birthday, only three doses are required.  If any combination of four doses of OPV and IPV was received by age 4 to 6 years, it is considered a complete series, regardless of age at the time of the third dose. 

Students enrolled in school (grades K-12) prior to August 1, 2004, and who received a booster dose of polio vaccine in the calendar month of or prior to their fourth birthday, shall be considered in compliance with polio series.

Polio vaccine is not required for students 18 years of age or older. 

Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR)

Kindergarten students are required to have two doses of MMR vaccine with the first dose received on or after the first birthday.

All others are required to show proof of two doses of measles containing vaccine.  The first dose shall be administered on or after the first birthday. The two doses of measles vaccine must be at least 28 days apart.

One dose of mumps vaccine given on or after the first birthday is required for all students under 17 years of age.

One dose of rubella vaccine given on or after the first birthday is required for all students.

Serologic confirmation of immunity to measles, mumps and/or rubella is acceptable in lieu of these specific vaccines. Evidence of either measles, mumps, or rubella illness must consist of a laboratory report that indicates confirmation of either immunity or infection.

Haemophilus Influenzae

One dose of Hib vaccine given on or after 15 months of age is required for all students 15 months through 4 years of age, unless a primary series (two doses, two months apart) and a booster (at least two months after the last dose) are received. The booster must have been given on or after 12 months of age.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

All kindergarten students or younger are required to have two doses of hepatitis A vaccine separated by at least 6 months.

All students are required to show proof of three doses  of hepatitis B vaccine. 

Serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis A and/or hepatitis B is acceptable in lieu of the specific vaccine.  Evidence must consist of a laboratory report that indicates either confirmation of immunity or infection.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

All kindergarten and 7th grade students are required to have two doses of varicella vaccine received on or after the first birthday.

All others are required to show proof of one dose of varicella vaccine given on or after the first birthday. Two doses are required if the student was 13 years or older at the time the first dose was received. A parent or physician validated history of varicella disease (chickenpox) or varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of vaccine.

Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV 7)

All students under age five are required to have at least one dose of pneumococcal vaccine.

Meningococcal

All students entering 7th grade are required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.

PROOF OF IMMUNIZATIONS

Proof shall consist of personal records by a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

The principal shall exclude from school attendance, but shall not withdraw the student for non-compliance. Such absences are unexcused and in violation of compulsory attendance laws.

ENROLLING OF NEW STUDENTS

A student who has not previously been enrolled in a school and/or school district in  Texas must obtain at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required. All vaccines must be on schedule before the student will be eligible  to attend classes. Thereafter, additional immunizations must be completed as soon as it is medically feasible.

A student transferring from another school and/or district in Texas shall be allowed to attend classes pending receipt of immunization records.  A grace period of no more than thirty (30) calendar days shall be allowed for the school to receive such records.  One week (7 calendar days) shall be allowed for updating incomplete immunization records received during this 30-day period.

If the parent is on active duty with the armed forces of the United States, a student may attend classes for no more than 30 calendar days while awaiting the transfer of immunization records from the previous school.  One week (7 calendar days) shall be allowed for updating incomplete immunization records received during this 30-day period.

EXCEPTIONS FROM COMPLIANCE

Upon receipt of a certificate or affidavit as specified in state law, exceptions from compliance may be permitted on an individual basis.

Medical Reasons:  The student must present a statement signed by the student's physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student's household.  The physician's statement must identify the specific vaccine(s) and reasons why they would pose a significant risk to the student or any member of the student's household.  Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.

Reasons of Conscience, including Religious Beliefs: 

If the student's parent or guardian declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person's religious beliefs, the parent or guardian must present to the school a notarized official Texas Department of Health affidavit requesting the immunization exemption.  No other forms or reproductions will be allowed.  Parents or guardians must request affidavit forms in writing and include the child's full name and date of birth.  Written requests for the affidavit must be submitted through the United States Postal Service, commercial carrier, facsimile (512-458-7544), hand delivery to the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization and Pharmacy Support, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756 or via the state website www.ImmunizeTexas.org.  If the student is transferring from another Texas school and awaiting the transfer of immunization records, including the official TDH vaccine exemption affidavit, Texas Education Agency policy requires a school district to provisionally enroll the student for no more than 30 calendar days.  The vaccine exemption affidavit must be renewed two years from the date notarized.  Students who have not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.