To the Parent/Guardian of all rising 6^thGraders for the school year  2017-2018

In 2006, the General Assembly passed a law which requires all 6th grade students to have tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) vaccine prior to entry into 6^th grade.  **There is no grace period  (per Virginia Department of Health) and appt. cards cannot be accepted.  The student MUST have immunization in order to enter school.

Please review your child’s shot record for an immunization listed as Tdap (only).  **Dtap, DT, DTP, and Td are not acceptable.**  If there isn’t a vaccine, your child needs to have the Tdap before school starts this August.   Call your doctor or local health department,  if you have questions, or to make an appointment.

The local Health department is Rockingham-Harrisonburg Health Department, 110 N. Mason St.  Harrisonburg, VA.  22802.  At the health department Tdap vaccine is free of charge for rising 6th graders and documentation will be provided.  Please call for an appointment at 540-574-5100.

All students must provide documentation of Tdap to the middle school ASAP or at least two to the three days before registration. 

Harrisonburg City Schools Nursing Staff

Dear Parents of Rising Sixth Grade BOYS and GIRLS:

 The 2007 Virginia General Assembly passed a law that requires the Virginia Department of Health to provide the parents of rising sixth grade boys and girls with information on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine. Some strains of HPV cause cervical cancer in women. The HPV vaccine is the first vaccine developed to prevent most cervical cancers. The vaccine targets the strains of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and is highly effective in preventing infection with these types of HPV in young women who have not been exposed to them before getting the vaccine.  Although, this vaccine is highly recommended, it is not required.

Facts for Parents about HPV and the HPV Vaccine*

What is human papillomavirus (HPV)? HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time HPV has no symptoms,so people do not know they have it. There are many different strains or types of HPV. Some types are responsible for nearly all cervical cancer in women and several other types of cancers in both men and women. Other types of HPV can cause genital warts in both males and females. In most people, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause health problems. Experts do not know why HPV goes away in some cases, but not in others. How common is HPV? About 20 million people in the U.S. are currently infected with HPV. Each year, another 6.2 million people get a new HPV infection. HPV is most common in young people who are in their late teens and early 20s. How common is cervical cancer? Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women around the world. In the U.S., about 10,000 women get cervical cancer every year and about 4,000 are expected to die from it. What is the HPV vaccine? The HPV vaccine is the first vaccine developed to prevent most cervical cancers, and genital warts. It works by protecting against the types of HPV that most commonly cause these conditions. There are two brands of vaccine that can be given to prevent HPV. Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccine is best for your daughter.

For more information, ask your child's healthcare provider or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) Website: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/preteen/ Who should get the HPV vaccine? Doctors recommend this vaccine for 11 and 12 year old girls. Ideally, girls should get this vaccine before their first sexual contact when they could be exposed to the HPV types covered by the vaccine. It does not work as well for those who were exposed to the virus before getting the vaccine. While not required for school attendance, HPV vaccine is also recommended for boys 11-12 years of age. Is the HPV vaccine effective? This vaccine targets the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts. This vaccine is highly effective in preventing these types of HPV in young women who have not been exposed to them before getting the vaccine. The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections or the diseases they may cause. Is the HPV vaccine safe? The HPV vaccines have been used in the U.S. and around the world for several years and have been very safe. The most common side effect is sorenessin the armwhere the shot is given. Other reactions may include fever, headache or fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain, or muscle or joint pain. Brief fainting spells and related symptoms (such as jerking movements) can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccination. Sitting or lying down for about 15 minutes after a vaccination can help prevent fainting and injuries caused by falls.