The new school year is just around the corner, and Clinton County Health Department is reminding all families about the necessary immunizations for children to attend school in August.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), issues recommendations for use of adult and pediatric vaccines in the United States and, establishes a recommended schedule for administration of routine childhood vaccines. These recommendations are considered by states to determine which vaccinations to mandate for school attendance. To make sure your children don't miss one day of school, you must be sure immunization records are up to date.

	Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/DPT/DT) – 5 doses
	Polio – 4 doses
	Hepatitis B – 3 doses
	Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) – 2 doses
	Varicella (chickenpox) – 1 dose or statement from parent or physician indicating date of disease.

For complete information on immunizations and Clinton County Health Department’s immunization clinics, call 937-382-7221.

The following documents are required to register your child for kindergarten:

There is a risk when choosing against vaccination. In addition to the potential risk of becoming infected with a vaccine-preventable disease if exposed to the illness, a child who is not fully immunized also may be excluded from attending school or childcare during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.

A parent or legal guardian has the right to choose not to immunize a child, based upon medical, religious, or philosophical reasons. The parent or legal guardian must sign an exemption form for the child to enter school without receiving the required vaccines. Discuss this with the school nurse.