As families plan for summer break, Knox County Schools and the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) would like to remind parents that it's not too early to get their child's state-required immunizations. In Tennessee, students entering seventh grade are required to have the Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccine and two doses of the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine. Parents must provide their school with an immunization certificate, proving their child has received the required vaccinations, before the first day of school, which is Monday, Aug. 11, 2014.
Tennessee's vaccine requirements follow recommendations from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both immunizations and the immunization certificates are available at pediatrician offices or at any KCHD location.
Where: You may get the vaccines and the immunization certificate from your pediatrician or the Knox County Health Department, 865-215-5150.
When: The school must have your child's immunization certificate with proof of the vaccines (or chickenpox) before the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 11, 2014.
Questions: For more information about the school immunization policy, call 865-594-1800. To see if your child has proof of the required vaccines, contact the medical office or clinic where your child receives vaccinations.
Please note: The varicella vaccine is NOT required if your child has had chickenpox. In this case, you must provide the year your child had chickenpox to the pediatrician or health department staff who will be issuing the new immunization certificate.
For more information, please email the Knox County Health Department at health@knoxcounty.org.
