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The school year is just ending, but parents of sixth graders should remember that Tdap vaccinations are required for all seventh graders entering school in the fall. Parents are required to submit an updated form 121 (vaccination compliance) to their school at seventh-grade entry. Request the form from your doctor or county health department when your child receives their vaccination.
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccinations for this age group became a requirement in Mississippi in 2012 after a sharp increase in childhood pertussis (whooping cough) in the state and nationwide. Pertussis can be serious or deadly to young children, and teens and adults can easily spread the disease to this younger age group.
This is also an excellent time to schedule other recommended vaccinations for your teen. The Mississippi State Department of Health strongly encourages all students receive HPV and meningococcal vaccination along with their Tdap. Meningococcal vaccination can protect against serious disease exposure that comes in teen and college years, and HPV vaccination provides excellent protection against several cancer types.
Don’t wait. Getting required vaccination ahead of time can make sure that school entry isn’t delayed.
