*** The Gaston County Health Department is offering child vaccination clinics in August and September. For more information and a list of dates and times available, please click here.
A child must be five years old on or before August 31, 2013 to attend kindergarten. All children entering kindergarten this fall must have a health physical between August 25, 2012 and August 27, 2013. The assessments must be submitted to the school principal on kindergarten assessment forms provided by the N.C. Department of Human Resources and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. Kindergarten health assessment forms are available at elementary schools, the Gaston County Health Department and all pediatrician offices. Students who do not meet the state requirements for immunizations and a school physical exam by September 25, 2013 will not be allowed to remain in school.
North Carolina law requires the following immunizations for students:
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5 DTP/DTaP
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough)
If the fourth dose is on or after the fourth
birthday, fifth dose is not required.
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2 Mumps |
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4 Polio – IPV
3 doses are acceptable if the last dose
was given on or after the fourth birthday.
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1 Rubella
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1 HIB
(Haemophilus Influenza B)
Must be given at 15 months of age and before
five years of age. Not required after age five.
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3 Hepatitis B
Required for all students born
on or after July 1, 1994. |
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2 Measles
Two doses after the first birthday and at least
28 days apart. Usually given as MMR
(measles, mumps, rubella). |
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1 Varicella
(Chicken Pox)
Required for all students born
on or after April 1, 2001. |
New Immunization Requirement (Effective January 2008)
1 Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis-Whooping Cough)
Required for all students entering the sixth grade on or after August 1, 2008, if five years or more have passed since the child took the last dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria.
Please consult your school nurse with any questions regarding student immunization records or requirements.