Know the vaccination requirements for back to school

Before enrolling your children in any educational institution in the country, whether public or private, including from care centers to universities, it is necessary for parents and caregivers to ensure that both children and young people have their immunizations up to date. This is important, since, in Puerto Rico, according to Immunization Law Number 25 of September 25, 1983, all students are required to follow the Vaccination Schedule according to their age, to safeguard their health.

According to the Puerto Rico Department of Health, the goal of vaccination in children and young people is to prevent the development of diseases through early vaccinationwith the goal of protecting them and the general population against vaccine-preventable diseases, reducing outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths.

According to Centers for Disease Control and PreventionThere are fourteen vaccine-preventable diseases: diphtheria, meningococcal disease, pneumococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, herpes zoster (shingles), influenza, mumps, rubella, measles, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), chickenpox, and viruses of human papillomavirus (HPV).

This last vaccine is the only one that prevents genital warts and some types of cancers later in life that include: cervical, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, mouth, throat, head and neck.

Although some of these diseases have been eradicated in the United States and its territories, cases in unvaccinated populations raise the alarm about the need to continue with vaccination efforts.

What vaccinations are required?

Following are the minimum immunization requirements for the next school year for elementary, middle, and high school students, according to the Department of Health:

• Four doses of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP, DTP, DT) vaccine, as long as the last dose was given on or after age 4.
• Three doses of polio vaccine (IPV), as long as the last dose was given on or after the age of 4 years.
• One dose of Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, if given on or after 15 months.
• Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.
• Two doses of the common measles, German measles, and mumps (MMR) vaccine.
• Two doses of the varicella vaccine (VAR).
• One dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, provided it was given on or after 24 months.
• One dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine for all adolescents 11 through 18 years of age.
• One dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) for all adolescents 11 years of age. All adolescents vaccinated between 11 and 12 years of age will require a booster dose at 16 years of age. Any adolescent vaccinated between the ages of 13 and 15 will also require a booster dose between the ages of 16 and 18. If the first dose was given at age 16 or older, no booster is required.
• One dose of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for all adolescents aged 11 to 18 years (up to one day before the age of 19), and it is required to complete the series as indicated in the Vaccination Schedule to guarantee the necessary immunity against the virus.
• Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, from 16 years of age and older, as indicated.

New university students, under 21 years of age:

• A booster dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine or a booster of the tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine, as appropriate.
• Two doses of the common measles, German measles, and mumps (MMR) vaccine
• Three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine.
• Three doses of polio vaccine (OPV/IPV), if the last one was given on or after age 4.
• Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine starting at age 16, as indicated.

In both children and young people, the influenza vaccine is important for the next season that begins in September.

All vaccinations will be recorded on the Vaccination card and on the Vaccination Certificate for Admission to a Pre-School Center or Educational Institution, also known as the “green paper”.

If you have doubts about the corresponding Vaccination Schedule, consult your pediatrician or family doctor. You can also access the page of the Department of Health at https://www.salud.gov.pr oa the page https://www.dondemevacuno.comof Voices Coalition for Immunization and Health Promotion.

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