With the start of school on Monday, Aug. 23, parents of children attending Port Aransas Independent School District, have just a few days to have their children immunized.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, parents of students entering kindergarten and seventh grades should pay special attention to the additional vaccination requirements for the 2010-11 school year.

Students will be required to show proof of having had the state-mandated vaccinations or provide a notarized exemption form before admittance to school on the first day.

Students new to the district will be required to show records indicating that they have received the required immunizations.

Immunizations required are: • three to five doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT, Td) • three to four doses of polio • two doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) • three doses of hepatitis B • one to two doses of varicella • one booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) 10 years after the last dose Additional vaccine requirements for students entering kindergarten, first, second and seventh grades are: • two doses of hepatitis A (kindergarten) • two doses of varicella (kindergarten and seventh grade) • one booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) (seventh grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose) • one dose of meningococcal (seventh grade)

Parents should consult their child’s doctor if they hve questions. Parents who are interested in exemption from state required immunizations can obtain an Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience form from the TDSHS by visiting, www. dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school.

Children not under the care of a physician, can receive immunizations through the Nueces County Health Department in Corpus Christi. Call (361) 826-7238 or visit http://www.cctexas.com/health for information.