As the school year begins next week, parents and guardians are reminded of the required and suggested immunizations. 

Greene County Public Health Immunization Manager Jill Hansen says the required immunizations for kindergarteners include five doses of Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (Tdap), four doses of the polio vaccine, two doses of measles, three doses of Hepatitis B and two doses of varicella vaccine. Seventh graders need to have one dose of Tdap and meningitis. For seniors in high school, they need to have one dose of meningitis after the age of 16.

Hansen explains what happens if students don’t have the required vaccines before school begins.

“As long as they have at least one dose of the required vaccines, they can start school, and the school nurse will work with the parents with getting them caught up with the immunizations. The seventh graders cannot start school if they do not have the required vaccinations.”

She adds seniors can start school if they’ve had one dose of meningitis, but will need another dose after the age of 16. As for the suggested vaccinations, Hansen says kids older than 11 should get the Hepatitis A, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the Meningitis B vaccines.