The state Legislature passed new laws during last year’s session which take effect this school year to ensure area public schools are even more healthy and safe for local children so they can concentrate on the main task at hand – learning.  There are just 10 business days left for parents to make sure their child’s immunizations are up to date under state requirements to allow school attendance. 

This year there are two new considerations regarding immunization requirements.  The first is that Louisiana law now states all students age 11 and/or entering the sixth grade must have the meningitis vaccine and the Tdap vaccine before entering school August 7. 

The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) protects against meningococcal infection, which affects the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can cause death.  This type of meningitis is an infection of the bloodstream that can cause death within 48 hours. 

The tetanus-diptheria-accellular pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (Tdap) prevents tetanus, diphtheria and accellular pertussis diseases.  Whooping cough is potentially life threatening. 

The second new state law requires all 4 year olds to be immunized twice as much for chicken pox.  That as well as other state-required immunizations must be recorded for school attendance.

These vaccinations are extremely important in keeping children healthy and in school.  The vaccines can prevent serious illness, are well studied before being offered to the public and include side effects usually no more than a sore arm.  Vaccinations can be provided at a physician’s office or the local health department, which also has information on the local Vaccines for Children program that provides free vaccines for children age 18 or younger if they are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, American Indian or an Alaska native.  The East Baton Rouge Parish Health Unit is at 353 N. 12^th Street and is open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. week days.  Its phone number is (225) 242-4860.  For more information about state immunization requirements, log on to the state’s Department of Health and Hospital’s Web site (http://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/publications/) or call the Health Care Centers in Schools at (225) 343-9505.