Halifax County Middle School students have to have the tetanus booster
shot if they are to remain in school after next Thursday, September 13.
And 230 members of the 448 sixth graders — more than half — still have
not gotten the shots or they have not furnished the school with
documentation proving that they do not need to get the booster Tdap
shots.
As of Wednesday morning 230 sixth graders still have not gotten the
shot or have not presented the school with documentation showing it is
not needed. "I don't think parents realize the importance of this —
that we simply cannot allow sixth grade students in our schools by next
Thursday if these shots are not given," said Frosty Owens, Supervisor
of Secondary Education for Halifax County Public Schools. Owens said
the shots will still be given next Thursday at the Halifax County
Health Department in Halifax, free of charge, but he cautioned that
parents must bring their child's shot records with them in order that
health department officials can determine the need. Parents may call
(434)476-4863 to schedule an appointment.
Last week Middle School Principal Gail Bosiger pointed out that the
state mandates that the immunizations be given. The 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."
Last year during the 2006-07 school year was the first time that the
law became effective and after some postponements in enforcing the law,
all sixth graders managed to get their shots or provide the proper
documentation.
Owens says he does not believe parents realize the serious consequences
of not following the law. "It's going to be bad if we have only a half
of our sixth graders in school next Friday," he warned.