Hepatitis a Is a Virus That Is Spread from Person to Person Through Contact with Feces

Dear Parents

This letter is to assist you in deciding if your student is up to date on the required vaccinations for the 2017-2018 school year. All children entering the Warrick County School system are required to have proof of various immunizations. There have been some changes in the requirements especially involving Hepatitis A and Meningococcal vaccines.

Hepatitis A is a virus that is spread from person to person through contact with feces (stool) of people who are infected, which can easily happen if someone does not wash his or her hands properly. You can also get Hepatitis A from food, water and objects contaminated with Hepatitis A virus. This virus attacks the liver and can cause a very serious liver disease, and in some cases, can cause liver failure and death.

Hepatitis A vaccine has been recommended in the USA since 1999. It is an inactivated (killed) vaccine. Two doses are necessary for long-lasting protection. The Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education have added Hepatitis A vaccine to the school immunization requirements for the 2017-2018 school year and the proposed schedule of requirements for the 2018-2019 school year.

If your child is in K-3rd grade they are required to have Hepatitis A vaccine. If your child is between the 4th and 12th grade theymay or may not have had these vaccines. Check with your health care provided to see if your child has had the Hepatitis A vaccines and if your child is up to date on the required vaccines.

All students grade 6-11 need Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines in addition to the other vaccines that were previously required.

Meningococcal disease is a serious illness caused by a type of bacteria called Niesseria meningitides. It can lead to meningitis and infections of the blood. Meningococcal disease often occurs without warning—even among people who are otherwise healthy. It is spread from person to person through close contact (coughing or kissing) or lengthy contact, especially among young people living in the same household. Even when treated, meningococcal disease kills 10-15 infected people out of 100. And those who survive, about 10-20 out of every 100 will suffer disabilities such as hearing loss, brain damage, kidney damage, amputations, nervous system problems or severe scars from skin grafts.

Students who are in 12th grade need to have a second dose of Meningococcal vaccine. An additional type of Meningococcal vaccine has been added to the recommendations/requirements- Meningococcal B (this is a 2-dose vaccine) to ensure that Indiana students are protected against all strains of meningococcal disease.

The recommendations/requirements for all grades are listed on the attached form. If you have questions or concerns or need to make an appointment, please call our office at 812-897-6105 ext. 2, 7 or 8 Monday through Friday 8-4.

Nursing Department

Warrick County Health Department