MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  NC School Nurses

                        NC School Principals

NC School Superintendents                 

Principals/Headmasters of Private and Religious Schools

FROM:            Beth Rowe-West, RN, BSN, Head 

                        Immunization Branch

 

SUBJECT:       Immunization Rule Changes for Tdap and Mumps Vaccines – Materials Available

 

The purpose of this memo is to remind schools about the new immunization requirements for kindergarten, 6^th grade and college entry and to announce the availability of materials on the www.immunizenc.com website that the schools can use to inform and educate school staff as well as parents/guardians of this recent rule change.

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the administrative rule, 10A NCAC 41A.0401, has been changed, adding requirements for one booster dose of Tdap (tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis) vaccine to be given to the following age groups:

 

• All individuals attending public school who are entering the 6^th grade on or after

      August 1, 2008, if five years or more have passed since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid

• All individuals not attending public schools (i.e., private, home-school, non-traditional schools) who are 12 years of age on or after August 1, 2008, if five years or more have passed since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid.
• Individuals enrolling in college or university for the first time on or after July 1,

      2008, if a tetanus/diphtheria toxoid or tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine has not been administered within the past 10 years.

 

This administrative rule change also impacts mumps vaccination.  Individuals are now required to receive a second dose of mumps vaccination before enrolling in school, college or university for the first time. 

 

The Immunization Branch has developed a variety of resources that the schools can use to educate staff and parents/guardians about the rule changes.  A toolkit of materials will be sent to every school around the end of March/beginning of April.  Each kit will include enough copies of the informational parent flyer for every 5th grade student in their school.

 

Until the kits arrive, all of the educational materials found in it are available and can be found at www.immunizenc.com/Schools.htm. These materials can be downloaded directly from the site. 

 

Questions regarding the changes in the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) and mumps vaccination requirements or any of the educational materials should be addressed to your Regional Immunization Consultant, or by calling the Immunization Branch Central Office, at 919-707-5550.

 

 

CC:          SMT                                                        CO Staff                                   Ron Helder               Rebecca Reeve

Regional Immunization Staff                    Local Health Directors             Steve Shore              Sherry Lehman

WCH Nursing Consultants                        Joy Reed                                  Peter Graber             Gerri Mattson