WOODBURY: The Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH) requires certain immunizations for students entering pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and seventh grades. There is only one official TDOH certificate of immunization that must be completed by medical providers for delivery to schools. Parents must present this official form prior to or at their child’s registration for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, seventh grade, or as a new student. This form is available from private healthcare providers or local health departments.
Parents are urged to begin this process early to avoid a delay in their child’s school year. Medical providers experience high volumes of last minute immunization requests prior to the start of school. Beginning this process early can assure parents these requirements are met in advance of fall registration.
According to Tennessee State Law (TCA 49-6-5001), no child shall be permitted to attend any public school, kindergarten, or pre-kindergarten until proof of immunization is given to the admissions officer of the school. Parents of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and seventh grade students must submit an Official Certificate of Immunization on, or prior to, school enrollment. Pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and seventh grade students without proper immunization documentation will not be allowed to attend Cannon County Schools until the Official Certificate of Immunization is submitted. Medical, religious or homeless exemptions may apply in some cases.
Parents can call the Cannon County Health Department, located at 106 Alexander Drive, Woodbury, TN 37190, to schedule immunizations through their clinic. Call the Health Department at (615) 563-4243. Parents may also schedule immunizations through their private healthcare providers.
Below is a summary of the TDOH rule 1200-14-1-29 which details the immunization requirements for children enrolling in Tennessee schools.
Children in pre-school or pre-kindergarten:
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) – age younger than 5 years only
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 1 dose of each, normally given together as MMR
- Varicella – 1 dose or credible history of disease
- Hepatitis A – 1 dose, required by 18 months of age or older
Children enrolling in kindergarten:
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the fourth birthday
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR
- Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease
- Hepatitis A – total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6 – 18 months apart
All children entering seventh grade (including currently enrolled students):
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (Tdap) – evidence of one Tdap dose given before 7th grade entry (administered at or after age 10) is required regardless of Td history
Children who are newly enrolled in a Tennessee school in grades other than kindergarten:
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
- Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV – final dose on or after the fourth birthday
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR
- Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease
- New students entering grades other than seventh grade are not required to have Tdap
Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements:
· Medical – Physicians (MD or DO) or public health nurses are authorized to indicate specific vaccines medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the certificate. Other vaccines remain required. The medical reason for the exemption does not need to be provided.
· Religious – This exemption requires a signed statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If the child needs documentation of a health examination for the school, it must be noted by the healthcare provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider should check the box in section 1a, that the parent has sought a religious exemption to explain why immunization information is absent or incomplete.
For more information, contact the Cannon County Health Department, the child’s physician, the school nurse, or Bonnie Patterson, Director of Coordinated School Health, at (629) 218-4815 or bonnie.patterson@ccstn.net.
For local media inquiries, contact William Freddy Curtis, Director of Cannon County Schools, at (629) 201-4801, ext. 10101, or at williamf.curtis@ccstn.net for local Cannon County Schools information.