We were recently informed by the Ohio Department of Health that commencing with the 2012-2013 school year, Ohio’s immunization law now requires all 7th grade students to have a Tdap vaccine before entering 7th grade. A recent TD vaccine will no longer meet the legal requirement for 7th grade entry, which means any child who received only a TD vaccine must now also have a Tdap vaccine before entering 7th grade.
The Tdap vaccine helps to protect your child against not only Pertussis (whooping cough), but also Diphtheria and Tetanus. Please contact your child’s doctor to see if your 6th grader has already received this vaccine or will need to get one during this school year. If your 6th grader has already received the Tdap vaccine, please send verification of this record into the clinic at your child's middle school before school ends. This record must be on file before the start of your child's 7th grade year. For questions please contact your child’s doctor, the county health department or the clinic staff at your child’s school.