School clinics are staffed by registered nurses.
Communicable Diseases/Illnesses/Accidents
Students with infectious or contagious conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), impetigo, head lice, ringworm or scabies may be sent home until treatment is initiated. The school nurse follows the Virginia Department of Health guidelines regarding communicable diseases. Your child may be sent home, or asked to remain at home, if any of the following signs or symptoms is present: fever of 100ºF or more, vomiting, repeated diarrhea, inflamed or draining eyes/ears, persistent cough/sore throat, skin eruptions/draining sores. If you know your child is ill, please keep him/her at home. Your child should be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medication, before returning to school. Working together, we can minimize the spread of illness.
If a student has an accident or becomes ill during the school day, clinic staff will assess his/her condition and provide appropriate care. Parents will be contacted immediately if children need to be taken home or require further treatment. In case of emergencies, clinic staff will provide care until the student can be transported to a hospital. It is important that clinic staff are aware of current telephone numbers, emergency contacts, changes in health status and student medications, and that emergency contacts live locally.
Immunizations
In accordance with the Virginia Department of Health, certain age appropriate immunizations are required for a child to enroll in or attend public school in Virginia. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for providing documentary proof that all required immunizations are current, or a medical or religious exemption has been obtained. Information about school required immunizations can be found at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/requirements/
SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS
Documentary proof shall be provided of adequate age appropriate immunization with the prescribed number of doses of vaccine indicated below for attendance at a public or private elementary, middle or secondary school, child care center, nursery school, family day care home or developmental center. Vaccines must be administered in accordance with the harmonized schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians and must be administered within spacing and age requirements (available at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/immunization-manual/acip/). Children vaccinated in accordance with either the current harmonized schedule or the harmonized catch-up schedules (including meeting all minimum age and interval requirements) are considered to be appropriately immunized for school attendance. (See “Supplemental Guidance for School-required Vaccines” for additional information.)
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or Tdap) - A minimum of 4 properly spaced doses. A child must have at least one dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine on or after the fourth birthday. DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine is required for children who are medically exempt from the pertussis-containing vaccine (DTaP or DTP). Adult Td is required for children 7 years of age and older who do not meet the minimum requirements for tetanus and diphtheria. Effective A booster dose of the Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering the 7th grade.
Meningococcal Conjugate (MenACWY) Vaccine - Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of MenACWY vaccine. The first dose should be administered prior to entering 7th grade. The final dose should be administered prior to entering 12th grade.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine - Effective July 1, 2021, a complete series of 2 doses of HPV vaccine is required for students entering the 7th grade. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 7th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent's or guardian's sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine - A complete series of 3 properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required for all children. However, the FDA has approved a 2-dose schedule ONLY for adolescents 11-15 years of age AND ONLY when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the 2-dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age it must be clearly documented on the school form.
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine - A minimum of 2 measles, 2 mumps, and 1 rubella. (Most children receive 2 doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR). The first dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. The second dose of vaccine must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine - This vaccine is required ONLY for children up to 60 months of age. A primary series consists of either 2 or 3 doses (depending on the manufacturer). However, the child’s current age and not the number of prior doses received govern the number of doses required. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 15 and 60 months are only required to have one dose of vaccine.
Pneumococcal (PCV) Vaccine - This vaccine is required ONLY for children less than 60 months of age. One to four doses, dependent on age at first dose, of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, are required.
Rotavirus Vaccine - This vaccine is required ONLY for children less than 8 months of age. Effective July 1, 2021, 2 or 3 doses of Rotavirus Vaccine (dependent upon the manufacturer) is required.
Polio (IPV) Vaccine - A minimum of 4 doses of polio vaccine. One dose must be administered on or after the fourth birthday. See supplemental guidance document for additional information.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine - All children born on and after January 1, 1997, shall be required to have one dose of chickenpox vaccine administered at age 12 months or older. Effective March 3, 2010, a second dose must be administered prior to entering kindergarten but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
Hepatitis A (HAV) Vaccine – Effective July 1, 2021, a minimum of 2 doses of Hepatitis A vaccine. The first dose should be administered at age 12 months or older.
Medication
Parents should try to schedule medication including over-the-counter medication, before and after school. However, if a student has to take medicine during the school day, it must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian in the original container with the prescription label intact. It will not be accepted unless in its original container. Over-the-counter medication needed during school hours must be in the original, sealed, unused container. Cough drops may be provided by the parent/guardian to the clinic and will be dispensed by clinic staff. Cough drops are not provided by the clinic. Medication is to be left in the clinic. A signed parental MCPS medication permission form must be completed for medication to be given at the school. The medication will be administered as directed per the container label. Non FDA approved medicine will not be dispensed at school. The above procedures are designed to help ensure that students receive the appropriate medication and dosage. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s school clinic directly.
Any medication that is retained in the clinic MUST be picked up by the parent/guardian at the end of the school year, or it will be properly disposed of by clinic staff.
Notice of Student Screening
All students enrolling in a Virginia public school for the first time shall be screened by school health personnel in the areas of vision and hearing within 60 business days from the day of initial enrollment. Additionally, the vision and hearing of all students in grades 3, 7, and 10 shall be screened during the school year. Parents will be notified if their child fails health screenings (Code of Virginia 22.1-273). The Scoliosis informational letter for parents of 5th-10th grade students is attached below.