In 2010, the Ohio Department of Health updated the immunization requirements with the following changes: 

 

· The addition of a Tdap booster requirement for 7^th grade

· The addition of the 2^nd dose of varicella (chickenpox)

· A requirement that the 4^th dose of polio be administered

  on or after the 4^th birthday

 

The most significant change was the addition of the Tdap – a tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis booster. This affects the majority of incoming 7^th grade students since only 30% of seventh graders have received this booster. Some points of clarification for this:

 

· If your child completed the original DTP/DTaP/ DT series and later received TD or Tdap for an injury or other reason within 5 years of entering 7^th grade, this requirement is met and there is not a need to be re-immunized for entry into 7^th grade.

 

· If there are not complications, parents are encouraged to get Tdap as a booster for their students rather than only Td.