Information for Raising 5th Graders

Effective January 1, 2008, the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services added one booster dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) to the required vaccinations for entry into the 6th.

Administrative rule 10ANCAC41A states: A booster of the tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine is required for individuals attending public school who are entering the sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008, if five years or more have passed since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid. A booster dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine is required for individuals not attending public schools who are 12 years of age on or after 8/1/08,  if five years or more have passed since the last dose of tetanus/diphtheria toxoid. However, pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine is not required for individuals between 7 years of age through the fifth grade for those attending schools and 7 through 12 years of age for those not attending public schools.
Please call your child's Pediatrician or the New Hanover County Health Department (910) 798-6500, as soon as possible to update their vaccinations.