DHHS is reminding parents to ensure children are up-to-date with vaccines to avoid suspension from school. North Carolina law requires children who are home-schooled or attend a public, private, charter or religious school to be up-to-date with North Carolina-required vaccinations within 30 calendar days from the first day of school.

Failure to show proof, such as shot records, will result in the suspension from school until the required immunization has been obtained.

Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as chicken pox, meningitis, pertussis (whooping cough) and others are still experienced throughout North Carolina. Staying up-to-date with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended vaccinations is the best way to protect schools and communities from diseases that can cause unnecessary illnesses and death.

“Ensuring that children are current on all CDC-recommended vaccines is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children’s health, that of their classmates and their communities,” said Wendy Holmes, Head of the N.C. Immunization Branch.

For a complete list of required vaccines or additional information, visit: www.immunize.nc.gov

Parents can view the recommended vaccine schedules to stay on track with immunizations for children from birth through age 18 on the CDC webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/child-adolescent.html

 

– article submitted
by Lou Parton