• Immunizations

     

    Immunization Rules for 11-Year-Old Students

    Arizona Department of Health Services has made changes to rules for age requirement for Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccines for school attendance which will affect your students as they turn 11 years old.

    Tdap (tetanus diphtheria, attenuated pertussis) will be required for students as they turn 11 years old and older when 5 years have passed since the last tetanus/diphtheria vaccine dose (DTP, DtaP, or Td).  Previously, a Td was done 10 years after the initial series was completed, but recurrence of pertussis in the teen population over the past years has put children at increased risk for this life-threatening disease.  This is required as they turn 11 even if they are not in the 6th grade.

    MV (meningococcal vaccine) will be required for students who are 11 years old, even if they are not in 6th grade yet.  Meningococcal meningitis can be highly contagious in teen and young adults and may result in severe disability if not death.   Students entering 6th grade must have documentation of these immunizations prior to the beginning school year each Fall if they are already 11 years old.

    As you update your child's immunizations, please get the Tdap and MV administered and documented as soon as possible when your child turns 11 years old.  Please get that documentation to your School Nurse when completed so that school records can be updated.

    Exemptions forms are available from the nurse and must be filled out in person by the parent for personal exemption or physician for a medical exemption.  Remember, these are with understanding of potential exclusions from school in event of any outbreak of disease as determined by the Maricopa County Health Department.

    Immunizations Required for School 23-24

    MCDPH offers free immunization clinics. For more information or to find a clinic near you, click on the link below.

     Vaccines