All rising 7th graders must meet the TDAP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis) immunization requirement, per Virginia law.

In the past, students were required to have a Tdap vaccine prior to entering the 6th grade. Under new guidelines and recent legislation, the Tdap booster vaccine is recommended for children who are 11 years old and is now required for entry into 7th grade. In addition, the HPV vaccine is also recommended by the CDC at this time.

If a student has already received the Tdap vaccine, another is not needed. However, if the student has not yet received the Tdap vaccine, he or she will need to receive the Tdap vaccine prior to starting 7th grade for the coming school year. Once the student receives the vaccine, parents/guardians need to send a copy of the immunization record to their child’s school nurse.  Students will not be able to pick up their schedule or begin school without documentation of the Tdap vaccine.

If a student is not 11 years old when they start seventh grade, he or she can be conditionally enrolled but must receive the Tdap vaccine as soon as he or she turns 11 years old. Tdap is not a series and therefore students who are 11 years old when they start seventh grade cannot be conditionally enrolled if they have not received the vaccine. Please call the school nurse or Health Services if you have any questions.

The Roanoke City area health department holds clinics each summer so that parents can ensure their child receives the proper immunizations.  Please see this calendar for details on clinics that have been scheduled.