LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Families are getting ready for the new school year, and beyond school supplies, students in Fayette County need two new shots in order to attend school.
As of July 1, every student attending school needs at least the first Hepatitis A shot.
"Hepatitis A, we’re currently in an outbreak. Actually, it was recommended by the (the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) many years ago, but the state of Kentucky has made it mandatory or a requirement that the vaccination be implemented prior to entering school," said School Health Manager Nurse Yolanda Loveless.
Students must get the second dose six months after their first shot.
The next vaccination every student ages 16 and older needs to start school this year is the meningococcal booster shot.
"That helps prevent four different strains of meningitis," she said.
You may think your child already got the meningococcal shot, but that was likely at age 11, the second shot, or booster, is the new requirement.
Both diseases can be easily spread on a playground, so encourage children to keep their hands out of their mouths and to wash their hands properly when they’re finished playing.
The Health Department said families need to make appointments for students to get these vaccines so they can attend school this fall. They also want to remind families that in order to make sure the student’s school knows they are up to date with their immunizations, the child’s vaccination record must be turned in to the school.
