New Vaccines for Kids Going to School

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reminding parents of North Carolina middle school students to be aware of recent changes to immunization requirements, effective July 1. Children not up-to-date on these vaccinations will have 30 days from the start of school to be inoculated before facing suspension.  The updated requirements are:  Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV) - (protects against meningitis) and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (whooping cough) Vaccine (Tdap). "Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death," said Megan Davies, M.D., Acting State Health Director and Chief of DHHS' Division of Public Health's Epidemiology Section.  Parents with questions about their children's vaccinations can contact the Wilkes Health Dept at 651-7450.  WCHD offers vaccinations for infants and children through age 18.