May 2, 2024
While most parents are making preparations before school ends, don’t forget about preparations before school begins. Making sure students have required immunizations means safer, healthier communities. Families who have preschool, 6th and 11th grade students should book an appointment for your child’s immunizations now to avoid delays when school starts in August.
LaWanda Dunn oversees nursing at the Chesterfield Health District and works with school nursing leadership to make sure students have the required immunizations.
“We always encourage people to establish regular health care with a primary care provider,” Dunn said. “It’s best to have someone who knows your health history and can determine what’s right for you.”
However, it’s difficult to get primary care appointments in a timely manner.
“Primary care appointments in central Virginia are booking months out,” Dunn said. “If you wait until summer, it will be too late.”
If you do not have a medical home or are uninsured, we have a list of providers who accept who accept Medicaid or provide services for those who are uninsured on our website.
What immunizations are state required?
The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that all children be immunized against certain diseases for admission to a public school (ref. Code of Virginia 22.1-271.2). Any student who fails to comply with the required immunizations shall be excluded from school until they are back on an immunization schedule.
Preschoolers will need these 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 before starting 7th grade:
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
• Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
11th grade students will need this before starting 12th grade:
• Meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY)
Where are immunizations available?
• Contact your healthcare professional to schedule an appointment for immunizations.
• Urgent care clinics; check to make sure they have all required immunizations.
• Pharmacies; check to see if a prescription is required.
• Chesterfield County Health District offers immunizations by appointment only for children ages 18 and younger. To schedule an appointment, call Chesterfield at 804-748-1750, Colonial Heights at 804-520-9380 or Powhatan at 804-598-5680.
• Bring your child’s immunization record and insurance card if applicable.
• When your child has received these immunizations, provide the records to your school nurse. For more information, visit vdh.virginia.gov/chesterfield.
While you’re at your healthcare provider, make sure your kids are screened for chronic conditions and obtain any sports physicals they may need.
Don’t forget students in Virginia High School League sports need a sports physical form filled out by their healthcare provider. Visit vhsl.org and click on Parents: VHSL Physical Form.
If your child is diagnosed with asthma, you should work with your provider to develop an asthma action plan and give a copy to the school nurse to keep on file.