Halifax County Middle School Principal Gail Bosiger hurriedly called a
press conference on Tuesday afternoon, citing fears that as many as 300
sixth graders might not be able to attend school after Thursday,
September 13.
"We have to have documentation that all sixth graders have received the
  tetanus booster shot if they are to remain in school," Bosiger
explained. The immunizations are required by the Virginia Department of
Health and the Code of Virginia," she noted. Of this year's 448 sixth
graders, Bosiger said as of Tuesday, only 105 had brought the proper
documentation to school officials. "I have a real concern about our
sixth graders," she said, noting that those students who do not furnish
the school with documentation showing they have received the proper
shots will not be allowed to come to school after Thursday, September
13.
Present at Tuesday's conference were school Central Office officials
Frosty Owens and Joe Griles, along with Dr. Charles J. Devine, Director
of the Southside Health District which serves Halifax, Mecklenburg and
Brunswick Health Departments. Dr. Devine stressed that free shots will
be given at the Halifax Health Department located in the Mary Bethune
Complex in Halifax today, August 30. Already it was noted that 64
students are scheduled for their shots at this time. Free immunizations
will once again be offered at the Halifax Health Department for half
day on September 13. Parents may call (434)476-4863 to schedule an
appointment for today or for September 13 or they may opt to have their
family doctor or pediatrician  administer the shot.
Bosiger said she sent out a letter to parents last week, urging them to
see that their child/children received the proper immunization, but she
has gotten little response to her notification. Another letter will be
going out to parents this week, she said, once again emphasizing the
need to attend to the matter.
Devine said he believes the problem lies with the lack of documentation
rather than the actual lack of the shots. Bosiger said the school will
be happy to receive faxed documentation at (434)572-4106 if parents
find it simpler to fax the information rather than sending it by their
students. "Please," she said, "just get us the information we need."
Some students, those who have had a tetanus booster shot within the
past five years, do not need to have the extra shot, but they do need
to prove they have gotten it.
The immunization requirement became state law last year during March of
2006 when it was passed by the General Assembly and added to the Code
of Virginia, saying that "regulations shall require that all children
receive a booster dose of Tdap vaccine prior to entering the sixth
grade if at least five years have elapsed since the last dose of
tetanus toxoid-containing vaccine." Devine pointed out that the law
requires all sixth graders, whether in public or private schools or
home-schooled to receive the immunization.
Last year was the first time that the immunizations were required and
Griles said after some time and much urging, 100 percent of the
county's sixth grade students at all the schools met the requirement.
"I thought it would be easier this year," he said, "since all our sixth
graders are here at the Middle School under the same roof, but that has
not proved to be the case."