Before high senior year classes, traditions and even celebrations can start, Ohio’s 12th-graders must get vaccinated against meningitis.
The state started requiring students to get a vaccination to prevent meningococcal disease in 2016. It applies to students entering the 7th and 12th grades.
Teens who have had a meningitis vaccine after their 16th birthday do not need to get the booster shot prior to their senior year.
Here are some links to central Ohio area health clinics for more information:
The letter from school districts will read similar to the one below from the Olentangy Local School District:
Dear families of the Class of 2020 students,
Required meningococcal immunization for all Seniors enrolled in OLSD whether DACC, CCP, OASIS or Electronic school: Ohio law mandates that all senior students have two doses of meningococcal immunization prior to entering 12th grade, unless parent or doctor would like to exempt the student from the vaccine. If the first dose was given on or after the student’s 16th birthday, the second dose is not required for his.her senior year. Please have your child immunized now if he/she has not received these immunization(s). Immunizations can be obtained at The Delaware General Health District (www.delawarehealth.org or 740-203- 2040), your physician’s office, or any clinic or urgent care center. Students who have already had the meningococcal immunizations should immediately turn their immunization record into their school clinic. Please call your school nurse if you have questions, they can let you know what we currently have on file as well.
Please contact your school nurse if you have any questions