New Immunizations Required for Some Baltimore County Students

The first day of school in Baltimore County isn’t for another three weeks—Aug. 27 is the big day—but school officials are encouraging parents whose students are entering seventh grade to make sure they have all the proper immunizations now.

Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, seventh grade students are required to receive MCV4 (Meningococcal) and Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccinations, in addition to the existing requirements, according to a statement from Baltimore County Public Schools.

If parents have received notice that their child’s immunization records are missing, they should contact their child’s health care provider for up-to-date records because students whose immunization records aren’t current will be excluded from school, the statement said.

The Baltimore County Department of Health is hosting numerous back-to-school immunization clinics in August for students who don’t have insurance; whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines; who receive M-CHIP or Medical Assistance; or who are of Alaskan or American Indian descent.

More information about the new immunization requirements for school enrollment is available from the Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene and the Baltimore County Public Schools Office of Health Services.