An administrative rule change by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Bureau of Immunization, REQUIRES MENINGOCOCCAL (A, C, W, Y) VACCINE FOR STUDENTS ENROLLING IN 7TH AND 12TH GRADES STARTING IN THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR in addition to other vaccination requirements.
STUDENTS IN THESE GRADES MUST HAVE A VALID IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATE ON FILE TO ATTEND SCHOOL.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
- If you have a student entering 7th grade for the 2017-2018 school year (born after September 15, 2004), they will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine to enter school.
- If you have a student entering 12th grade for the 2017-2018 school year (born after September 15, 1999), they will be required to have a second dose of meningococcal vaccine if they received a first dose before their sixteenth birthday. If they received their first dose on or after their sixteenth birthday, they will be required to have one dose to enter school.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Please contact your healthcare provider to schedule these vaccinations as soon as possible if needed and either have the provider send the vaccination documentation to your student’s school or bring the documentation to the school’s health office.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO DO THIS?
This is a new Iowa law and the district will be required to obtain this information and have a valid Certificate of Immunization on file for your student. If we do not have this information, the law requires us to exclude those students from attending school.
STATE OF IOWA EXEMPTION FORM
Information about medical and religious exemptions to vaccinations can be found on the Iowa Department of Public Health website.
You can also access the Medical Exemption Form and the Religious Exemption Form directly on the Department of Public Health webpage.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact your school’s health office for additional information.