September 12, 2023
Dear Toll Gate Families of 5th grade students:
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services updated the immunization requirements for students entering Grade 6.
-
Students must have one dose of Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) and one dose of meningococcal vaccine. Tdap is a booster vaccination and not the same formulation as the DTaP your child received at a younger age.
-
The Tdap vaccine must be given on or after the 10th birthday and no sooner than five years after any DTP, DTaP, or Td vaccination. (A child does not need a Tdap dose until FIVE years after the last DTP/DTaP or Td dose.)
-
Students must have one dose of a meningococcal-containing vaccine, such as the medically-preferred meningococcal conjugate vaccine.
-
For students who are eleven (11) years old before September 1, 2024 these immunizations must be completed before they enter grade 6 in September 2024. Those students who are not eleven (11) years old by September 1, 2024 must complete the immunizations as soon as they turn eleven (11) years old to remain compliant and be able to stay in school.
-
Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines are required for all entering 6th graders who are 11 years of age or older. If in 6th grade and under age 11, students must receive the vaccines within 2 weeks of their 11th birthday. Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccines administered at age 10 or older will be accepted for NJ school attendance.
When your child receives these vaccines, please submit this information in writing to the school nurse. The dates of the vaccines must be indicated on a form signed by your physician. We must have this documentation before your child enters grade 6, so please do not wait to send in documentation if your child has already received these immunizations. The elementary school nurses will document the immunizations and this information will be forwarded to Timberlane.
Please note that these requirements apply to all 6th graders in New Jersey regardless of their school choice.
Please contact your health care provider to schedule these immunizations as soon as possible. Even if your child will not be eleven years old until later in the year, it would be beneficial to make an appointment early to avoid a rush at the last minute.
If you are also visiting your physician for your child’s physical, please ask the school nurse for a sixth grade physical form. Students must have a current physical using the required forms for any sports participation. These forms are available on the HVRSD website: go to the “For Parents” tab; health forms, Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (grades 6-12)” form. Pages 1-2 are to be completed by a parent and taken to the physician’s office along with pages 3-4 for the doctor to complete. Some physicians’ offices charge to fill out forms if the forms are not presented during the child’s physical. Please remember to make a copy of all immunization records and physical forms for your records.
If you have no health insurance, please call the Hopewell Township Health Department for resources for immunizations and child physicals.
For more information, you can also visit the Hopewell Township Health Department website at www.hopewelltwp.org or call (609) 737-0120, extension 638.
To apply for health insurance for your children through New Jersey Family Care, please go to www.njfamilycare.org or ask for an application from your school nurse, main office or registrar’s office.
In an effort to avoid exclusion from school in September 2024 and numerous calls and letters, we are providing this information now to give ample time to complete the requirements.
Should you have any questions regarding the immunization requirements or physical forms, please feel free to confer with your school nurse. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
Alicia Smith RN
School Nurse
609-737-4008, ext. 8141