Immunization Alert

  • Published August 4, 2011

    Williamson County Schools would like to remind parents that Tennessee law does not allow children to attend a public school without meeting the State’s immunization requirements.  As a result, the district will not allow students to attend class if immunization requirements are not met by August 11.

    Parents should keep in mind that immunization requirements have changed over the last few years.  The district asks that parents check with their family physician to make sure their child meets all stated requirements.  They are different at each level of education, elementary, middle and high. 

    Listed below are the current immunization requirements.  Parents can also visit the Tennessee Department of Health's WEBSITE for more information.

    Children in Child Care Facilities (new requirements underlined):

    • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
    • Hepatitis B (HBV)
    • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
    • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): age younger than five years only (this requirement is  resumed following suspension during a national Hib vaccine shortage 2008-2009)
    • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): age younger than five years only
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (one dose of each, usually given together as MMR)
    • Varicella (one dose or history of disease)
    • Hepatitis A (one dose by 18 months of age)

    Children entering Kindergarten (new requirements underlined):

    • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
    • Hepatitis B (HBV)
    • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the fourth birthday now required
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (two doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
    • Varicella (two doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required
    • Hepatitis A (two doses): effective July 1, 2011

    Children entering seventh grade (new requirements underlined):

    • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”)
    • Verification of immunity to varicella (two doses or history of disease)

    Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than K or seventh

    • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
    • Hepatitis B (HBV): previously only for Kindergarten, seventh grade entry
    • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the fourth birthday now required
    • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (two doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
    • Varicella (two doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required

    Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements:

    • Medical: Healthcare provider must indicate which specific vaccines are medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the new form. Other vaccines remain required.
    • Religious: WCS requires a signed notarized statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If documentation of a health examination is required, it must be noted by the health care provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider may explain the absence of immunization information by checking that the parent has obtained a religious exemption.