The Department of Health has changed school immunization regulations for this school year to ensure that children attending school are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. A student must have all required, medically-appropriate vaccines or a plan to complete those vaccines or risk not being permitted to attend school.†
Medical and Dental Examinations
All students are also required to have physical and dental examination records on file with the school. Physical exams are required in grades 6 and 11. Dental examinations are required in grades 3 and 7. However, all students must have their latest examination record on file at the school regardless of current grade level.
Students entering 6th grade must have a new physical exam conducted.
Students entering 7th grade must have a new dental exam conducted.
The exam must have occurred on July 1, 2018 or later. Please bring a completed examination form to the school.
Vaccination Requirements
5th and 6th Grade Students
There are no new vaccines or doses required for 5th or 6th grade students this year. However, we must still ensure that all students have followed immunization requirements at the start of this school year.
7th and 8th Grade Students
If your student is entering the 7th or 8th grade this year, s/he is required to have both the Meningococcal immunization (also known as MCV or meningitis shot) and an additional dose of the TDAP/DTAP shot (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis combination vaccine) for entry this school year. Please ensure that your child receives these immunizations as soon as possible.
All required immunizations for all Freire students this school year are:
| Immunization | Grades 5-6 | Grades 7-8 |
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis | 4 | 5 |
| Polio | 4 | Same |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella | 2 | Same |
| Hepatitis B | 3 | Same |
| Varicella (vaccine or disease history) | 2 | Same |
| Meningococcal | None | 1 |
Please compare your student’s immunization record to the requirements above, ensure that s/he receives any missing immunizations as soon as possible, and bring a complete immunization record to the school.
If a student does not have the required doses mentioned above on the first day of school, they must receive the next dose (if medically appropriate) or have a parent/guardian provide a Medical Certificate if the next dose is not the final dose of the series or the next dose is not medically appropriate, within the first 5 days of school.
Medical Certificate (Immunization Plan)
The Medical Certificate is the official Department of Health form setting out the immunization plan for a student who is not fully immunized. It is to be filled out and signed by a certified health practitioner and then given to the school as proof that the student is scheduled to complete the required immunization(s). Freire will maintain the Medical Certificate until the Certificate has been completed. The Certificate will be reviewed every 30 days and any subsequent immunization(s) will be entered.
Free and Low Cost Immunization Options
If you are interested in receiving free or low cost immunizations, please check the Health Federation of Philadelphia website for qualified health centers. The PA Department of Health will also be holding free clinics at the School District headquarters – more information can be found on the PA Department of Health’s Don’t Wait Vaccinate website.
Over-the-Counter Medication Administration
Only a certified school nurse or will be permitted to administer OTC (over-the-counter) medication to students during school hours with the written consent of a parent/guardian, except during life-threatening emergency. Written authorization from parents/guardians must be renewed at the start of each school year. Any medication given to a student must be documented by the nurse in the student’s school health record.
† A student may still obtain a medical, religious, or philosophical exemption from immunization by providing documentation to the school. However, even if exempt, a student may be removed from school during an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease.
