NC students under new vaccine requirements

Students in North Carolina public schools must meet new vaccine requirements in order to attend class in the fall.

Posted 9:58 p.m. Jun 16, 2015 — Updated 11:26 p.m. Jun 18, 2015

RALEIGH, N.C. — Students in North Carolina public schools must meet new vaccine requirements in order to attend class in the fall.

The new guidelines include:

Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) – 2 doses

One dose is required entering the 7th grade or by age 12, whichever comes first.
A booster dose is required entering the 12th grade or by age 17 beginning August 1, 2020.
If the first dose is administered on or after the 16th birthday, the booster dose is not required.

Changes to previous shot requirements include:

Polio vaccine – The booster dose is required on or after the 4th birthday and before entering school for the first time.
Varicella vaccine – Two doses administered at least 28 days apart.
1. One dose is required on or after 12 months of age and before 19 months.
2. A second dose is required before entering school for the first time.
3. Documentation of disease must be from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant verifying history of varicella disease. Documentation must include the name of the individual with the history of disease, approximate date or age of infection and a healthcare provider's signature.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) – Tdap

A booster dose of Tdap is required for individuals who have not previously received Tdap and who are entering 7th grade or by age 12, whichever comes first.

More information about the immunization requirements can be found on the state's immunization website.