Hamilton Co. Health Dept. offers back-to-school vaccinations | Local News

As the start of the 2023 school year approaches, Hamilton County Department of Health encourages parents/guardians to have their children vaccinated for all required school vaccines.

Before classes begin, kindergartners and new students enrolling in a Hamilton County school must provide schools with a Tennessee vaccination certificate.

LEARN MORE | Hamilton County Department of Health

Parents/guardians planning to have their child vaccinated will need to bring valid ID, custody papers (if applicable), health insurance card (if applicable) and proof of the child’s physical well-being (if applicable or required by the school).

Children entering kindergarten and seventh grade at a Tennessee school must receive a new round of vaccines.

Vaccination requirements for college entrance vary by institution.

College students, who have received all recommended vaccinations, including their meningitis booster, will meet all state-run college requirements.

Children enrolled in kindergarten

• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if applicable)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after 4th birthday
• Measles, mumps, rubella – 2 doses each, usually given together as MMR
• Chickenpox – 2 doses or credible history of illness
• Hepatitis A – total of 2 doses, spaced at least 6-18 months apart

All children entering Year 7 (including currently enrolled students)

• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) booster – evidence of a Tdap dose given before grade 7 entry (given at or after age 10) is required, regardless of history of Td
• Updated Grade 7 Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccination Requirements

Children newly enrolled in a TN school in grades other than kindergarten

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if applicable)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR)
• Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after 4th birthday, now required
• Varicella (2 doses or credible history of disease) – previously only one dose was needed
• Hepatitis B (HBV) – previously only for kindergarten, entering grade 7
• New students entering grades other than Grade 7 are not required to have Tdap

Tennessee full-time college students

• Measles, mumps, rubella (2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR): if you were born on or after January 1, 1957 only.
• Varicella (2 doses or credible history of illness): if born on or after January 1, 1980 only.
• Hepatitis B (HBV) – only for health science students expected to have patient contact (before patient contact begins).
• Meningococcal – Minimum 1 dose given at age 16 or older if first enrolled in a public facility and under age 22 and living in on-campus housing; private institutions set their own requirements for this vaccine.

“The start of the new school year is fast approaching and it’s time to start planning your back-to-school vaccinations. Vaccines are the easiest way to ensure your child has a safe and healthy school year. Keeping up to date with all necessary vaccines helps protect them and others from life-threatening illnesses,” says Hamilton County Health Department Health Officer Dr. Stephen Miller.

All childhood vaccinations are available at 3rd Street Health Unit and Birchwood Health Unit.

These services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., without an appointment.

Regular health department fees apply, including a tiered fee schedule based on income. For more information, please call 423-209-8383 or visit their website.