> A second dose of varicella for children who have never had chickenpox [grades K-12]
> One dose of Tdap which provides a booster against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis [whooping cough] [grades 7-12]
> One dose of meningococcal vaccine to protect against meningitis [grades 7-12].
ALL Immunization Requirements
(All grades K-12):
> 4 doses of tetanus* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday); 3 doses if series started after age 7
> 4 doses of diphtheria* (1 dose on or after 4th birthday); 3 doses if series started after age 7
> 3 doses of polio
> 2 doses of measles**
> 2 doses of mumps** (1 dose if series started after
age 7)
> 1 dose of rubella (German measles)**
> 3 doses of hepatitis B
> 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or history of disease (written statement)
* Usually given as DTP or DtaP or DT or Td
** Usually given as MMR
> 1 dose of tetanus/diphtheria/accellular pertussis (Tdap)
> 1 dose of meningitis vaccine (MCV4)
Parents must show proof of immunization.
***For medical and religious exemptions, students must submit documentation.***
County Health Department
Offering Vaccinations Free of Charge
The vaccines also are available free of charge at the Health Department’s regular walk-in clinic at 3441 Forbes Avenue, Oakland, which is open every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m.
Schools will be required to exclude students at the start of the 2009-2010 school year who cannot document compliance with vaccination requirements, which apply to all public, private, parochial, cyber and home-school students in Allegheny County. Visit the Allegheny County Health Department web site at: www.achd.net.
What You Should Know About Communicable Diseases
If your child looks or feels sick or is running a fever (100°F) in the morning, please do not send your child to school.
Before sending your child back to school following a bout
with a contagious disease or virus, please check with your
child’s physician or the school nurse.
H1N1 Flu Virus
Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that spreads
in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses
spread, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people
who are sick with the virus, but it may also be spread by
touching infected objects and then touching your nose or
mouth. Novel H1N1 infection has been reported to cause
a wide range of flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough,
sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In
addition, many people also have reported nausea, vomiting
and/or diarrhea. Click here for more resources on H1N1.
How Long Should You Keep Your Child Home?
The Pennsylvania Department of Health offers the
following guidelines and exclusion periods:
> Chicken Pox: 6 days from the outbreak of the last
crop of blisters with all pox marks dried
> H1N1 Flu: (Updated Recommendation as of 8/20/09)
Should your child be diagnosed with a mild to moderate strain of the H1N1 Flu, your child should remain home until your child is free of a fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing drugs (doctors clearance may be required).
> Impetigo, scabies and ringworm:
until judged non-infectious by the physician
> Lice: until treated with a pediculicide agent (Students
who have been excluded must be checked by the school
nurse and found to be free of lice eggs before re-entering
the building)
> Pinkeye: 24 hours after initiation of treatment
> Strepthroat or scarlet fever: 24 hours after
initiation of treatment
