******** CHANGES IN IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS ********

HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT

March 23, 2009

Dear Parents:

Re: Changes in Texas Immunization Requirements for Seventh (7th) Grade
Students

Recently, the Executive Commission on Health & Human Services approved
several revisions to the “Immunization Requirements for Children and Students
in Texas Public and Private Schools” [Title 25. Health Services, Chapter 97,
Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §97.61 and §§97.63-97.77].

The changes to the requirements were made in order to update the Texas
elementary and secondary school immunization requirements so that they adhere
more closely to the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and
Preventions (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP).

The following immunization requirement changes are effective beginning August
1, 2009 and include:

Varicella Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering 7th grade
will be required to have two (2) doses of varicella vaccine. A written
statement from a parent (or legal guardian or managing conservator), school
nurse, or physician attesting to a child’s positive history of varicella
disease (chickenpox), or of varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of
either dose of varicella vaccine.

Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap):
Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering the seventh (7th) grade will
be required to have one (1) dose of Tdap only if it has been five (5) years
since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine. Students in grades 8-
12 are required to have a booster dose of Tdap if it has been ten (10) years
since their previous dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine. Td is acceptable
in lieu of Tdap if a contraindication to pertussis exists.

Meningococcal Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering 7th
grade will be required to have one (1) dose of meningococcal vaccine.

Conscientious Exemption: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students with an
affidavit for Exemption for Reasons of Conscience entering seventh (7th)
grade must present a valid affidavit that includes the above mentioned
immunizations for their records to be considered to be complete.

Admission to school is only allowed when records are produced showing (1)
that the child has been immunized in accordance with the rules; (2) the child
has an exemption from immunization requirements on file with the school in
accordance with the rules; or (3) that the child is entitled to Provisional
Enrollment in accordance with the rules as adopted by the Texas State
Department of Health Services.