Changes to vaccine requirements for Tri-State children

CINCINNATI - Vaccine requirements change every year, whether there are new requirements or added recommendations.

As a result, parents will run into some new additions when they get their children up-to-date on immunizations this summer.

"The vaccines that are required for school entrance in the state of Ohio are the Tdap, Polio, MMR, Hepatitis B, Hib and Varicella vaccine," said registered nurse Kathy Reder of the Cincinnati Health Department.

Ohio Changes

Reder emphasized two changes this year for vaccinations. "Those two are that the Tdap vaccine that was required for seventh grade last year as a new requirement is progressive this year to also include eighth graders."

"Tdab is for tetanus but also is adding the component of pertussis," explained Kathy Sabin of the Price Hill Health Clinic. "Pertussis is very common and we're finding the teens, adolescents and adults are spreading it to the babies."

Indiana & Ohio

Reder noted that the second change consists of the second dose of varicella (the chickenpox vaccine) is now required for both kindergartners and first graders. The state of Indiana made the same change. In both states last year, only kindergartners needed a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine.

HPV Recommendation

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now being recommended for males as early as 9 years old to catch them before they become sexually active and pass on HPV to girls.

As for college students, they are advised to get the menactra vaccine, also known as meningitis, which is common in college dorms.

Kentucky Changes

Earlier this month, new guidelines went into effect for the Commonwealth as well. Children up to age 5 must now get a pneumonia vaccine, and 6 year olds are required to get a second measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. Also, sixth graders must get a meningitis shot.

Health officials advise that vaccinations are not just about protecting a child, but protecting the community as well.

"There are still diseases out there that are threatening. Even though we don't hear about them as often, they're still very important and cause serious complications so it's very important. There's no reason not to get your kid vaccinated."

Vaccine Safety

Many parents are concerned about the safety of vaccinations. The following websites can help answer any questions:

http://immunize.org/safety/

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/populations/parents.html

Getting Vaccinated

When it comes to getting those vaccines, first go to your physician. However, many schools are setting up times on campus for students to get vaccinations and physicals to make the timeline for fall sports.

The Cincinnati Health Department offers vaccines at minimal costs, especially for children without health insurance. The department can also go to schools as a team at the request of the school. The number for the Cincinnati Health Department is (513) 357-2810.

Any pre-schooler registered in the Cincinnati Public School District can get vaccinations at the Mayerson Academy on Oak Street on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. through mid-August.

For a summary of child immunization's, visit http://media2.wcpo.com/pdfs/sch11-12.pdf .

For immunization clinics in Clermont, Butler and Warren counties, visit http://media2.wcpo.com/pdfs/201112Immunizationbrochure_Eng.pdf . En español: http://media2.wcpo.com/pdfs/2011-12 Immunization brochure_SP.pdf .

This story is a part of the School Zone 9 series. Wednesday on Good Morning Tri-State, the deadline is approaching to register for Lakota's new bus service. Find out more on GMTS, which starts at 4:30 a.m.