Documentary proof shall be provided of adequate age appropriate immunization with the prescribed number of doses of vaccine. All students prior to enrollment must meet immunization requirements.

In order for students to attend a school, Law of the Commonwealth of Virginia requires the following:

-Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (Dtap, DPT, or Tdap): A minimum of 4 doses with one dose on or after the 4th birthday.

- Tdap Booster: Effective July 1, 2006, a booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering 6th grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. * For school year 2011-12 all 6th graders and newly enrolled 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th & 11th graders are to meet this minimum requirement for enrollment.

-Polio Vaccine: A minimum of 4 doses of polio vaccine. One dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday.

- Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine: A minimum of 2 measles, 2 mumps, and 1 rubella. (Most children receive 2 doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR) First dose must be administered at age 12 months of older. Second dose does not have to be administered until age 4-5 years (usually at entry to Kindergarten) but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and 2. (Beginning 2010-11 second dose of Mumps for K-entry)

-Hepatitis B (HBV) Vaccine: A complete series of 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is required for all students. However the FDA has approved a 2-dose schedule ONLY for adolescents 11-15 years of age AND ONLY when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the 2-dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age it must be clearly documented on the school form.

-Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV): Effective October 1, 2008, a complete series of 3 doses of HPV vaccine is required for females. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters 6th grade. After viewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent's or guardian sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV. Parents/guardians of rising sixth graders are requested to provide the school with documentation of the HPV vaccine administration if the student receives the immunization. Sixth grade girls who do not have proof of the HPV vaccine administration will not be excluded from school.

-Varicella (Chicken Pox) Vaccine: All susceptible children born on and after January 1, 1997, shall be required to have one dose of chicken pox vaccine administered at age 12 months or older. Effective March 3, 2010, a second dose must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.

-Haemophilus Influenza Type b (HIB) Vaccine: This vaccine is required ONLY for children up to 60 months of age. A primary series of either 2 or 3 doses. However the child's current age and not the number of prior doses received govern the number of doses required. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 15 and 60 months are only required to have one dose of vaccine. (This requirement will pertain to preschool enrollments)

Any student whose immunizations are incomplete may be admitted conditionally if that student provides documentary proof at the time of enrollment of having received at least one dose of the required immunizations accompanied by a schedule for completion of the required doses within 90 days. Any student admitted conditionally and who fails to comply with his schedule for completion of the required immunizations shall be excluded from school until his immunizations are resumed.

Please refer to the school nurse at your school site or to the Health Services Department (757-494-7628) for any questions or need for clarification of immunization requirements.

Information on Recommended Immunizations

Meningococcal Meningitis Immunizations:
Meningitis is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection. It can occur in two forms - as either meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation that affects the brain and spinal cord, or as meningococcemia, the presence of bacteria in the blood. Meningococcal bacteria are transmitted through air droplets and direct contact with persons already infected with the disease. Meningitis usually peaks in late winter and early spring, overlapping flu season and symptoms can easily be mistaken for the flu. Because infection progresses rapidly, often in as little as 12 hours, prompt diagnosis and treatment are important to assuring recovery.

In February 2005, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued new recommendations stating that children and pre-adolescents (11 -- 12 year old), adolescents entering high schools, and college freshman in dormitories should be immunized against meningococcal disease. ACIP recommendations state that all other adolescents who wish to decrease their risk of meningococcal disease may elect to receive the vaccine.
Additional information can be found at:


http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/in-short-both.htm
http://www.nmaus.org
http://www.sanofipasteur.us


Because of the dangers of misuse of drugs, we attempt to discourage administration of medication during school hours and, whenever possible, request that doses of medication be scheduled at other than school hours. We recognize that this is not always possible and will cooperate in administration of medication that must be given during school hours. In order to undertake this, these regulations are required:

1. A physician’s written order and parent/guardian authorization are required for medication to be administered to a student.

2. An Authorization for School To Administer Medicine Form completed by the physician and parent is required for a student to be administered medication at school. The parent is to obtain the form from the school principal or nurse.


The physician provides information detailing the name of the medication, dosage, time interval, possible side effects, duration of order, and the medical condition for which medication is prescribed.

3. The physician must authorize requests for changes in the dosage.

4. Each school year a new medication order form has to be provided for the current year.

5. For the safety and welfare of all students, the student cannot bring medication to school. The medication must be in a container appropriately labeled by the pharmacy or physician, and delivered to the principal or school nurse by the parent/guardian or another adult designated by the parent.

6. The medication will be kept in a locked area of the school clinic and dispensed as prescribed by the physician.

7. Over-the-counter medication will be given only if prescribed by a physician. Over- the-counter medication has the potential for adverse side effects; therefore, the same regulations as for prescription medication must be met. In addition, over-the-counter medication must be delivered to the school in an unopened container.

8. Prescribed medication that has been discontinued by the student’s physician must be picked up by the parent within two (2) weeks. All medication that has not been given at the end of the school year shall be picked up by the parent by the last day of school.

Incidents resulting from failure to use medications as indicated by instructions given by the physician or packaging which leads to a danger to student safety may subject the student to disciplinary actions which may include suspension and/or a recommendation for expulsion.



A physical examination by a qualified licensed physician, a licensed nurse practitioner or a licensed physician’s assistant is required for the first time enrollment to any public preschool program, public kindergarten, or public elementary school (grades K-5).

a. A copy of the School Entrance Physical Examination and Immunization Certification, School Entrance Health Information Form, must be provided to the school.

b. The report must indicate that the child received the physical examination no earlier than 12 months prior to the date of first entering preschool, kindergarten or elementary school.

A student may be admitted to school with proof that an appointment has been scheduled for the physical examination. Upon failure of the physical examination to be completed as scheduled, the parent is to be informed and the student is to be excluded from school.

Transfer students entering Chesapeake Public Elementary School (K-5 or a preschool program) must provide one or the other of the following:

1. Records establishing that a physical examination was completed prior to enrolling in another school.

OR

2. A report of a physical examination dated within the last 12 months.

A physical examination is not required for students entering grades six through twelve.

A physical examination is not required of any child whose parent/guardian shall object on religious grounds and who shows no visual evidence of sickness, provided that such parent shall state in writing that to the best of his knowledge, such child is in good health and free from any communicable or contagious disease (Virginia Code 22.1-270:D).