March 23, 2009
Dear Parents:
Re: Changes in Texas Immunization Requirements
Recently, the Executive Commission on Health & Human Services approved several
revisions to the “Immunization Requirements for Children and Students in Texas Public
and Private Schools” [Title 25. Health Services, Chapter 97, Texas Administrative Code
(TAC) §97.61 and §§97.63-97.77].
The changes to the requirements were made in order to update the Texas elementary and
secondary school immunization requirements so that they adhere more closely to the
recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) and the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
The following immunization requirement changes are effective beginning August 1, 2009
and include:
Hepatitis A Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering kindergarten will
be required to have two (2) doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering
kindergarten will be required to have two (2) doses of measles, mumps and rubella
(MMR) vaccine.
Varicella Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering kindergarten and
7th grade will be required to have two (2) doses of varicella vaccine. A written
statement from a parent (or legal guardian or managing conservator), school nurse, or
physician attesting to a child’s positive history of varicella disease (chickenpox),
or of varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of either dose of varicella vaccine.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): Beginning
August 1, 2009, all students entering the seventh (7th) grade will be required to have
one (1) dose of Tdap only if it has been five (5) years since their last dose of a
tetanus-containing vaccine. Students in grades 8-12 are required to have a booster
dose of Tdap if it has been ten (10) years since their previous dose of a tetanus-
containing vaccine. Td is acceptable in lieu of Tdap if a contraindication to
pertussis exists.
Meningococcal Vaccine: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students entering 7th grade will
be required to have one (1) dose of meningococcal vaccine.
Conscientious Exemption: Beginning August 1, 2009, all students with an affidavit for
Exemption for Reasons of Conscience entering kindergarten or seventh (7th) grade must
present a valid affidavit that includes the above mentioned immunizations for their
records to be considered to be complete.
Admission to school is only allowed when records are produced showing (1) that the
child has been immunized in accordance with the rules; (2) the child has an exemption
from immunization requirements on file with the school in accordance with the rules;
or (3) that the child is entitled to Provisional Enrollment in accordance with the
rules as adopted by the Texas State Department of Health Services.