With some schools already back in session and the rest getting ready to resume classes, do you know what Michigan's vaccine requirements are?
For the 2016-2017 school year, kids between 4 and 6 years old must be up to date on five separate vaccines:
DTP/DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- 4 doses
- 1 must be on or after 4 years of age
Polio
- 4 doses
- only 3 doses required if the third doses was given on or after 4 years of age
Measles, Mumps, Rubells
- 2 doses on or after 12 months of age
Hepatitis B
- 3 doses
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- 2 doses after 12 months of age
- may substitute a current lab immunity or reliable history of disease
The requirements are updated for children between 7 and 18 years old. This group includes all seventh-grade students.
DTP/DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
- 4 doses of D and T or 3 doses of Td if the first was given on or after 7 years of age
- 1 dose of Tdap for children 11 years of age or older upon entry of seventh grade
Polio
- 3 doses
Meningococcal
- 1 dose for all children 11 years of age or older upon entry into seventh grade
The MMR, Hepatitis B and Varicella requirements currently do not change as kids get older.
Family physicians should be able to administer all the required vaccines. Parents can also get them through their county health departments. Use the link embedded in this story to find the department's phone number, address and Web site for your home county.
Parents who choose not to get their children vaccinated for personal reasons must get a non-medical waiver. Doctors and religious organizations cannot give them out. Parents can only get them through their county health department. Parents must make an appointment to meet with a health educator who will address questions and concerns about vaccinations as well as present evidence about the risks and benefits of immunization. Children may not be admitted to schools and licensed daycares without an immunization record, a medical waiver from a doctor or a stamped and signed non-medical waiver from a county health department.
