VDH reminds parents about essential vaccinations for children

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reminding parents about the essential, required immunizations for their children and would-be students in Chesterfield County.

Different immunizations are required as students approach the next level of their education, according to a VDH release. As a result, the health department is urging Chesterfield parents of 4, 11 and 16-year-old students to book an appointment to update their child's vaccinations.

The Code of Virginia section 22.1-271.2 requires certain disease immunizations for all children that plan to attend a public school, including the following:

• Preschoolers need these immunizations before starting kindergarten:
  • DTap
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  • Hep B
  • Hep A
  • Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
  • Mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR)
  • Polio
• 6th-grade students will need these immunizations before starting 7th grade:
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• 11th-grade students will need this immunization before starting 12th grade:
  • Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)

Students who do not receive the required immunizations will not be allowed to attend school until they show proof of an immunization schedule or a waiver is provided, according to VDH.

The Chesterfield County Health District offers immunizations for children ages 18 and younger by appointment only -- call Chesterfield at 804-748-1750 to schedule. Those without health insurance can click here for a list of providers, courtesy of VDH.

With measles being one of the required immunizations, VDH shared that as of Feb. 27 this year there have been 164 measles cases reported throughout the country -- with 95% of those impacted being unvaccinated. Additionally, there was a measles exposure at Dulles International Airport in Virginia just a few weeks ago.