Changes In Child Vaccine Requirements

The state is setting new standards for vaccinations for school age children. The changes take effect before the new school year begins.

One change is that children will be required to have two doses of the chicken pox vaccine. Another is that children must have a meningococcal vaccine before entering the seventh grade. Before the change only one dose of the chicken pox vaccine was required and the meningococcal vaccine was only recommended before a child entered college.

For a look at additional changes, including the Tdap, MMR and Hepatitis A vaccines, go to www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/rulechange.shtm or talk to your pediatrician.