• By Carole Watson
• Posted Monday, July 20, 2009

Do You Have a Child Entering 6th Grade?

If you have a child entering the 6th grade this fall, are you aware of the immunization requirement for 6th grade entry? A booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children before entering 6th grade in public school (or by age 12 for those attending private, religious, or home schools), unless he or she has had a dose of Td or Tdap within the past 5 years.

Tdap is a combination vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). There has been an increase in cases of whooping cough in the U.S. in recent years, infecting as many as 1 million teenagers and adults each year. By receiving a booster dose of Tdap now, adolescents and adults will have protection against all three deadly diseases for the years to come. This also protects infants who are not old enough to have received their full series vaccine for these diseases.

Your child will be suspended from school after 30 days if proof of this immunization is not provided upon school entry. This vaccine is available at private physician offices, as well as Forsyth County Department of Public Health. While the Tdap vaccine is free, your health care provider may charge an administrative fee to give the vaccine. There is no fee at the health department. Clinic hours at Forsyth County Department of Public Health are:

This is a walk-in clinic (no appointments!). The Health Department is located at 799 Highland Avenue in Winston Salem. Please bring a copy of your child’s immunization record. For more information, you may call (336) 703-3314.