Reminder regarding the Menactra (meningitis) vaccine for students enrolling in 7th and 12 grades
The Iowa Immunization Law requires the Meningococcal (A,C,W,Y) vaccine for all students enrolling in 7th and 12th grades in addition to previous vaccination requirements. Students entering 7th grade will also need the Tdap booster (pertussis/whooping cough).
*For students entering 7th grade (born after September 15, 2004), they are required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine (after the age of 10) to enter school.
*For students entering 12th grade (born after September 15, 1999) , they are required to have two doses of meningococcal vaccine to enter school, or one dose if received when the student was 16 years of age or older.
There is no grace/extension period for this vaccine requirement. What this means is that the law requires students be excluded from school if they have not received the immunization by the first day of school.
Please contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to schedule these vaccinations. As a reminder, please have your provider send an updated immunization record to school OR bring the updated record to school prior to the start of the school year.
If you have questions, contact your school’s health office or read additional Immunization Requirement Information on the Iowa Department of Public Health website. They also have a Frequently asked Questions document for the Meningococcal Secondary School Vaccine Requirement.
This No Shot, No School video is another helpful resource.