Canceled: NNPS and Health Hero to offer free Tdap and meningococcal vaccine clinics for students

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Posted: April 14, 2022

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Due to a lack of participation, the Tdap and meningococcal vaccine clinics are canceled.

(en espanol) Newport News Public Schools is collaborating with the Health Hero organization to provide the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines to 6th-12th grade students during the school day with signed parental consent. The school division and Health Hero will conduct onsite Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) and meningococcal vaccine clinics at NNPS middle and high schools in April (see schedule below).

State law requires that all students receive the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines before entering 7th grade as well as one dose of the meningococcal vaccine after the age of 16 for entry into 12th grade. All middle and high school students missing these vaccines may participate in the clinics.

This is the only time Health Hero will be able to come to Newport News Public Schools, so families are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Parents and guardians are not required to be present during the vaccine clinics. To ensure your child receives the vaccine, please read, complete and sign both sides of the Parental Consent Form. Consent forms for the clinics were distributed to middle and high school students in March. Please be sure to complete the insurance information on the front side of the form and answer the yes or no question on the back of the form. The shots will be administered at no cost.

Please have your child return the form to school as soon as possible. You will receive confirmation of this vaccine for your records, which will also be submitted to the Virginia State Immunization Database.

As a reminder, all students are required to present written proof of having received a Tdap booster and meningococcal shot or proof of exemption signed by a medical provider before they can start seventh and twelfth grade. No other shot is acceptable. If proof is not provided or if your child has not received the Tdap booster shot, he/she will be excluded from school on the first day of school, August 29, 2022, in accordance with state law.

If you have questions or need any assistance, feel free to contact your school nurse.

NNPS Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccine Clinic Schedule

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