Immunization Information

Published March 4, 2010

The Tennessee Department of Health is requiring several new immunizations and a new certificate of immunization for many students for the 2010-2011 school year.  The new Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization form will not be available to health care providers until July 1, 2010.  The form must be completed by the student’s healthcare provider or the health department.

After completion, the new certificates must be brought to your child’s school prior to the start of the 2010-2011 school year.  Check with your child’s school after July 1 for drop off dates and times prior to the start of school.

All vaccines that are now required were already routinely recommended by healthcare providers, so most children should have received them.  Parents should confirm with their health care provider.

This list below is not a comprehensive list but information regarding new immunizations. For a comprehensive list of all vaccinations, visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s WEBSITE.

Attention Parents/Guardians of new kindergarten students:

Students beginning kindergarten in 2010-11 must have two new immunizations before the start of school.  Students must have the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine, two doses, or a history of the disease, and the final dose of the polio vaccine after the child’s fourth birthday.

Attention Parents/Guardians of rising seventh graders:

Students entering seventh grade in 2010-11, must have a Tdap (tetanus-diptheria-pertussis) booster as well as either two doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine or history of the disease.

Attention Parents/Guardians special education early childhood, pre-kindergarten, and children enrolled in CTE child care/daycare:

For children enrolled in any pre-school or child care category, there are new immunization requirements: Hepatitis B (HBV), if younger than five years Hib (haemophilus influenzae type B), if younger than five years PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine), and Hepatitis A (one dose by 18 months of age).

Attention Parents/Guardians of students who are enrolling in 2010-2011:

For all new students entering WCS, new immunization requirements include Hepatitis B, a final dose of the polio vaccine after the age of four, and either two doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine or history of the disease.  The new Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization required for enrollment into Williamson County Schools will not be available to all Tennessee healthcare providers until July 1, 2010.  Check with your child’s school after July 1 for drop off dates and times prior to the start of school.

Attention Parents/Guardians of students who need medical or religious exemptions:

For children needing medical or religious exemptions for the required immunizations, a medical exemption must be documented by the healthcare provider as to specifically which vaccines would produce harm to the child (other immunizations would still be required), and a religious exemption must be documented with a signed statement by the parent/guardian that the vaccination conflicts with religious tenets or practices.  If documentation of a health examination is required, it must be noted by the healthcare provider on the immunization certificate.  In that case, the healthcare provider may explain the absence of immunization information by checking that the parent has obtained a religious exemption.