VACCINE INFORMATION FOR 8TH AND 12TH GRADERS

To start the 2020-21 school year, Missouri law requires all incoming 8^th grade students to have two vaccines administered and incoming 12^th grade students to have one vaccine, unless they are exempted.

The following is information about the vaccines and the childhood diseases these vaccines prevent.  Information is also provided about the recommended Meningococcal B vaccine for students entering 12^th grade.

1. Required vaccines that must be completed before a student enters 8^th grade:

-- Tdap—protects kids from Tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis— needs to be given between ages 11 and 12, and then every 10 years. The brand name for this vaccine is Adacel or Boostrix.

-- Meningococcal –protects kids from Meningococcal groups A, C, W, Y—needs to be given between ages 11 and 12, and again at 16 years. This vaccine is also given in middle school and before the senior year of high school.  The brand name for this vaccine is Menactra or Menveo. 

2. Required vaccine that must be completed before a student’s senior year:

-- Meningococcal –protects kids from Meningococcal groups A, C, W, Y—needs to be given between ages 11 and 12, and again at 16 years. This vaccine is also given in middle school and before the senior year of high school.  The brand name for this vaccine is Menactra or Menveo. 

3. Recommended vaccine for High School Students:

-- Meningococcal B—protects kids from Meningococcal group B— 2 shots given 30 days apart, given at 16 years or going into the senior year of high school.  Students who will be living in close contact are at higher risk for becoming infected with Meningitis B.  The brand name for this vaccine is Bexsero or Trumenba. 

July 10, 2020