Health Policies Regarding Immunization
- School Health Policies
Health Policies Regarding Immunization
According to MS Code § 41-23-37, it is unlawful for any child to attend any public or private school, including kindergarten, unless the child has been vaccinated against those diseases specified by the State Health Officials. The required vaccinations for students in grades PreK4 - 12 are as follows:
| Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertusis | DTaP | 5 doses | Kindergarten |
| Polio | IPV | 4 doses | Kindergarten |
| Hepatitis | Hep B | 3 doses | Kindergarten |
| Measles/Mumps/Rubella/Varicella | MMRV | 2 doses | Kindergarten |
| Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertusis | Tdap | 1 dose | 7th Grade |
Vaccinations may be received at the Jackson County Health Department or at the office of a physician. In all cases, only certificates of vaccination issued on forms specified by the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) will be acceptable by school officials by showing compliance with the immunization requirements. Parents whose children have previously been vaccinated at the County Health Department or at the physician's office still must obtain a certificate of vaccination for their children. See OSSD BOT Policy JGCB - Student Health Services Inoculations.
Beginning with the 1993-94 school year, MSDH requires that all children entering an elementary or secondary school for the first time must have proof of two (2) doses of MMR vaccine. The first dose must be on or after the first birthday and the second dose must be at least 30 days later than the first. The only exceptions are:
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Children with a documented history of physician-diagnosed measles or serologic evidence of immunity to measles; or
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Children with a valid Certificate of Medical Exception (Form 122).
A medical exemption may be recommended by the child's physician and must be approved by the local health officer. Valid contraindications to the MMRV vaccine are rare. Two (2) doses of MMRV vaccine are recommended for all other school children.
- AEC
- K-3
- OSHS
- OSMS
- OSUE