Background Information
Immunization Outreach staff are extensively trained in the immunization of infants, children, adolescents,    and adults.

Outreach activities are provided for the public to increase awareness and access to immunizations, and we serve as an immunization resource for community immunization providers.

• Assessments in schools, preschools, and day care centers to monitor for compliance with state requirements
• Participation in community health fairs
• Friendly reminders to parents to immunize on time
• Information to parents, schools, day care centers, and immunization providers available via telephone request, periodic media releases, and regular satellite courses.

Infant/ Childhood Immunization Information

• Immunizations are an important part of your child’s health care, beginning in early infancy
• Five visits to your immunization provider are needed between the ages of two months and two years to protect your child from eleven serious and potentially deadly diseases.
• An additional series of immunizations are due prior to school entry between the ages of 4-6 years.
• In Tennessee, the only exemptions from these immunization requirements for school or daycare entry are due to medical or religious exemption
• Immunizations are available from the Health Department or your doctor
• At the Health Department, immunizations are available at a low cost which can be adjusted according to family size and income. Inability to pay is not a reason not to vaccinate at the Health Department; our goal is to protect all children from vaccine-preventable diseases. Click Here for clinics that provide childhood immunizations.
• Immunizations are safe and effective and protect your child from needless suffering and the possibility of disability or death from vaccine-preventable diseases. 
• Internet links: www.immunize.org and www.immunizationinfo.org

Adolescent Immunization Activities

• Friendly reminders to parents when Hepatitis B vaccines due
• Assessments in schools to monitor for compliance with state requirements
• Information to parents, schools, and immunization providers available via telephone request, periodic media releases, and notices to schools. 

Adolescent Immunization Information

• In July 1998, Tennessee immunization requirements changed. Two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine are now required for entry in grades kindergarten, four, eight, and twelve. By the school year beginning in 2002, this requirement will be applicable to all Tennessee students
• Since Td (Tetanus/ diphtheria) and Tdap (tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertussis) vaccine boosters are due at least every ten years, many adolescents are in need of a Td or Tdap booster
• Any adolescents who have not yet had Varicella (chicken pox) disease need to be vaccinated.
• Minors ages 16 & 17 may come in for immunization services without a parent if the Immunization Consent Form for Minors is completed, signed and sent with the minor.
• HPV is available for adolescent and adult females, 9-26 years of age.

• Routine adult immunizations are available by appointment.
• Adult immunizations required for employment, college entry, or special medical conditions are available by appointment.
• The Clinic offers immunizations and information to travelers on how to avoid illness and stay healthy while traveling.  The clinic offers all immunizations required and recommended for travel. Travelers are encouraged to call the clinic 3 to 4 weeks prior to departure for an appointment and vaccine prices.  For more travel information visit www.cdc.gov/travel.

 Please call the Adult Immunization/Overseas Travel Clinic at (423) 209-8340 for additional information.

 Vaccine costs vary.

Immunizations available:

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• Td (tetanus/ diphtheria)
• Tdap (tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertussis)
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis A
• Twinrix
• Varicella (chicken pox)
• Rabies
• Meningococcal
• Japanese Encephalitis vaccines
• Zostavax (Herpes Zoster)
• HPV
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever
• Pnuemoccoccal
• Influenza (during season)

Influenza vaccines are recommended for the following groups of people:

• Persons age 50 years and older
• Those with chronic conditions such as cancer, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, and asthma
• Those in nursing homes and chronic care facilities
• Children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy
• Pregnant women
• Those with HIV
• Children 6-23 Months and their out-of-home caregivers
• Household contacts of those listed above
• Health care providers and community personnel such as police and emergency medical providers
• Others who want to avoid the flu
• Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccines are available from the Health Department in our clinics and at outreach sites.
• Specific availability dates and locations are announced each fall - Please call (423) 209-6010 and press 6

School Immunization

Children enrolling in Daycare/Preschool/Pre-K, Kindergarten, Seventh grade or as a new student entering Tennessee Schools must obtain the new School Immunization Certificate to enroll in school this year (2010). 

The immunization requirements are listed below, with the new requirements in red.

New enrollees in a Tennessee school other than Kindergarten or 7th Grade:

Questions? Call the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department at 209-8340.

Have a great year in school!