Kids may need more shots before school

Some kids in Wilkes County will need more shots before school starts.

The Wilkes County Health Department is reminding parents that new immunization rules take effect July 1 for both pre-K children and for those entering the sixth grade.

Effective July 1, 2007, all children attending child care facilities are required to meet the new requirements. Children under five years of age must have protection against pneumococcal disease by taking the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The number of doses de- pends on the child's age.

Children born on or after January 1, 2006, who attend child care facilities (including pre-K) must have two doses of hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity.

Children entering the sixth grade after July 1, 2007, will now need two doses of the measles vaccine, two doses of mumps vaccine, and one dose of rubella vaccine; or have laboratory proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella.

Sixth-graders must also have two doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine; or furnish documentation that they've had the disease, or provide laboratory proof of immunity. The second dose is required, the health department says, because only one dose was required when these children started to school.

There are other groups of children who may need another vaccine or to update their Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231). Children who are currently enrolled in a 4-yearold pre-K program and who have a certificate marked "Complete for School" may need to get the second dose of varicella and mumps vaccine, and will need to submit documentation of meeting the new requirements for entry to school.

The Wilkes County Health Department urges parents to contact the child's child care facility to see when it expires. When the certificate expires, the child will be required to meet the new immunization requirements.

Parents should contact the family's health care provider to get any needed vaccinations and to obtain the updated Certificate of Immunization.

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