Important Notice: New Tdap booster shot required for eleven year old students.
Dear Parents/Guardians of Rising 6th Grade Students:
A measure passed by the Virginia General Assembly in July 2006 means that all rising 6th grade students will need to get a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster shot prior to the start of school in September 2008, unless fewer than five years have passed since their last Tdap immunization. All PrinceWilliamCountyPublic School students must meet all Virginia immunization requirements.
Our records indicate that your child has recently turned 11 years old. Once your child turns 11 yrs old, they need to get this immunization. Please send the documentation of this vaccine to the school nurse. She will notify your child’s middle school that they have received their vaccine.
Tdap boosters may be obtained from your doctor, military clinics, or the health department. Written documentation must be provided to your child’s school upon completion of this requirement.
Free immunizations and required documentation for school enrollment are available from the Prince William County Health Department. Please see the attached information regarding immunization hours at Prince William County Health Department offices.
The new Tdap booster requirement was initiated at the recommendation of the Virginia Department of Health and other medical experts to give adolescents added protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (better known as whooping cough). These potentially serious ailments are largely preventable with proper vaccination. So please, protect your child and ensure that he/she meets all school immunization requirements by arranging for the Tdap booster as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Mendel, RN
LRES School Nurse
