August 13, 2012

VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein remind families that updating children's vaccinations should be added to their back-to-school list. In order to be fully protected, students should have all the appropriate vaccinations for their age. The following schedule ensures that children meet New York State school immunization requirements and are protected against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b, polio, pneumococcal disease and chickenpox.

In addition to the immunizations required by day cares, nursery, pre-kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, the following are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: influenza, meningococcal, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and human papilloma virus vaccines. These groups also recommend additional doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, mumps, rubella, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b, and varicella vaccines. Some of these may be obligatory for enrollment in post-secondary schools or health care training programs. New York State’s Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provides required vaccines to health care providers at no cost for uninsured children and those whose health insurance does not cover childhood immunizations.

Nassau County Department of Health also reminds adults that they never outgrow the need for vaccines. The specific immunizations needed are determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, presence of high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunization history.

For additional information, contact your health care provider or call the Nassau County Department of Health Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at (516) 227-9416.