Tamaqua Area School District is excited to offer an education and prevention program for school aged students in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH). The School Immunization Catch-Up Program is a federally funded initiative that provides varicella (Chicken Pox), tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and meningococcal conjugate (MCV4) vaccines to schools to offer their students who meet Vaccine For Children (VFC) eligibility.

VFC eligibility includes those students who fall into any of the following categories; Child is enrolled in Medical Assistance (Fee for Service/Managed Care), Child is American Indian or Alaskan Native, Child has NO health insurance, or Child has health insurance, but it does NOT cover vaccinations. If you are interested in your child receiving any of the indicated vaccines at school at no cost to your family, contact the school nurse by March 1, 2012.The Pennsylvania school immunization requirements for 2011-2012 include the following vaccines for attendance in all grades; four doses of tetanus and diphtheria containing vaccine, three doses of polio, two doses of measles and mumps, one dose of rubella, three doses of Hepatitis B, and two doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. Children attending seventh grade will need one dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV).Many people between the ages of 11-19 think they are done with their vaccinations and vaccinations are just for children. Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting job. Make sure your child "catches up" with these required vaccines which are available to your child to receive in school during the 2011/2012 school year.For more information, contact Cathy Miorelli, Tamaqua HS nurse at 668-1901.