Numbers Improve for GCS at Tdap Deadline

GCS and the health department continue the push to get all students vaccinated

Contact: Laurie Hogan (336) 370-8307
Created: 9/24/2009 12:56:39 PM

Out of the district’s 5,547 sixth-grade students, 201 were missing documentation of an up-to-date Tdap vaccination today. By state law, today is the first day students are required to be excluded from school if a record of the vaccination is not provided.

All of the district’s 25 middle schools had less than 30 students each without the vaccination. Seven schools reported that all of their students had received the vaccine, and nine additional schools had less than 10 students remaining to provide documentation.

On the first day of suspension last year, 1,150 students still needed to receive the vaccination or provide documentation. State law requires sixth-graders to receive a booster Tdap vaccination for protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough).

In order to make sure all remaining students receive the vaccination as soon as possible, the Guilford County Department of Public Health is holding two special vaccine clinics. These clinics will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at both health department locations, 1100 E. Wendover Ave. in Greensboro and 501 E. Green Drive in High Point.

Tdap shots are provided by the health department free of charge. Students attending the special clinics will be seen on a first come, first served basis and should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents should bring their child’s shot record and insurance card with them. Parents with questions about the special clinics should contact the Guilford County Department of Public Health at 336-641-7777.

Since March, Guilford County Schools has worked closely with the health department to inform the community about the Tdap requirement and make sure students have access to the vaccine. The district added information for parents to its Web site, ran public service announcements on the radio and GCSTV 2, partnered with local media to provide information and worked with schools to begin notifying parents before the 2008-09 school year ended.

The Tdap vaccine was made available by the health department at free community clinics during the summer and at middle school open houses in August. At the start of the school year, schools reached out to the families of students missing documentation individually through letters and phone messages to let them know they would be excluded from school. For More information about the Tdap vaccine, click on the link below.

http://www.gcsnc.com/parents/tdap.htm

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About Guilford County Schools

Guilford County Schools is the third largest school district in North Carolina serving more than 71,000 students at 120 schools. With approximately 10,000 employees, the district’s mission is to graduate responsible citizens prepared to succeed in higher education or the career of their choice. 

Guilford County Schools is a national leader in providing specialized schools and instructional programs designed to meet the educational needs of a culturally diverse citizenship.  For more information, visit the district’s Web site at www.gcsnc.com.