School's out for kids who need their shots

Parents and guardians of pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, seventh-graders and new enrollees to Roane County Schools are reminded to make sure those students are up-to-date on their immunizations.

Schools in the Roane County system start on Monday. Students requiring immunizations will be unable to attend school unless they have one of the following:

• Completed immunization certificate.

• Temporary immunization certificate.

• Written proof of an appointment to receive the required immunizations prior to Aug. 27.

The Roane County Health Department has the vaccines in stock.

The Health Department at 1362 N. Gateway Ave., Rockwood, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays; patients are asked to arrive prior to 3 p.m. to allow time for registration, immunization administration and the waiting period required after the shots.

Immunizations will also be provided during an Aug. 14 late clinic at the Health Department. On that day, the Health Department will be open until 5:30 p.m.

Children entering pre-K and kindergarten in Roane County Schools are required to show proof of the following immunizations:

• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate).

• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV); final dose on or after the fourth birthday is required.

• Measles, mumps and rubella (one dose of each, usually given together as MMR for pre-K; two doses of each for kindergarten).

• Varicella (one dose or history of disease for pre-K; two doses or history of disease for kindergarten).

• Hepatitis B (HBV).

• Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib): age younger than 5 years only.

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): age younger than 5 years old.

• Hepatitis A (one dose by 18 months of age for pre-K; two doses for kindergarten).

Children entering seventh grade who are already enrolled in Roane County Schools  are no longer required to show proof of hepatitis B vaccine, but they must show proof of two new immunizations:

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (Tdap).

• Verification of immunity to varicella (two doses or history of disease).

Contact individual school nurses or Patti Wells, school health coordinator, at 882-3700, Ext. 1910, or pawells@roaneschools.com for more details.