Students to get overdue vaccinations

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

State and local health officials say thousands of Nevada high school and college students will be called in for tetanus and diphtheria vaccinations now that a nationwide shortage of vaccines for the deadly diseases has eased.

State law requires proof of vaccination against certain diseases for students in public schools, but the requirement temporarily was suspended for older students who hadn't had tetanus-diphtheria booster shots because of the 18-month shortage, health officials said.

School and public health officials met last week to figure out which students will be vaccinated first, said Peggy Hensley, immunization project coordinator for the Clark County Health District.

How many Clark County students still need the vaccinations isn't known yet, although it's expected to be in the thousands, Hensley said. The Health District expects it will take the remainder of this year and into next year to bring all students up to date on vaccinations, Hensley said.

In the meantime students who have not had the shots will continue to be allowed to enroll in school, Hensley said.

"It's going to take some time to get caught up," Hensley said. "Students won't be penalized because of that."

High school freshmen and sophomores are the largest group in need of the booster shots, said Carolyn Fricke, Washoe County School District director of student health services.

Children usually receive the vaccination before entering kindergarten, and the vaccine has been made available to that age group, but a booster shot is required 10 years later to maintain immunity, Fricke said.

"It's a nationwide problem," she said. "These are diseases that once were terrible, but because of vaccines, we have basically eliminated them."

Health departments statewide anticipate getting new supplies this spring, possibly by April, from the remaining manufacturer, Aventis Pasteur, based in Lyon, France.