CARTERET COUNTY, NC –The Carteret County Health Department reminds parents of school age and college-bound
students to check with your child’s doctor or the Health Department to make sure all required and recommended
vaccines are up to date.
The North Carolina General Statutes (G.S. 130A-152(a)) require immunizations for every child present in this state to
receive certain immunizations. Every parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their
child(ren) receive required immunizations. It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to provide a record of these
immunizations to the school. Any student who is not age-appropriately vaccinated on the first day of class attendance
has 30 calendar days to obtain the required immunizations. No student will be allowed to attend class after the 30-
day grace period without proof that all age-appropriate vaccinations have been received.
Kim Davis, Nursing Director for the Carteret County Health Department says, “Having all school required vaccines protects
your child from harmful infections while protecting your family, their classmates, and the community.”
Most vaccines are required when a child enters school for the first time in kindergarten. State law also requires one dose of
Tdap vaccine and one dose of meningococcal vaccine for all rising 7th graders or those who reach 12 years of age whichever
comes first. Children 17 years of age or older who are entering the 12th grade, must receive one booster dose of the
meningococcal vaccine, unless their initial dose was administered on or after their 16th birthday.
Also, the Health Department reminds families that State law requires every child entering public schools in N.C.
receive a health assessment. The assessment must occur within 12 months prior to entering school and can be
provided by your child’s doctor. Parents, guardians, or medical providers must provide a completed health
assessment transmittal form to the school on or before the first day of school.
It’s important to keep your child’s vaccinations up to date. It helps protect children from serious diseases, including
measles, mumps, and chicken pox. Children age 12 and older can also be vaccinated against COVID-19.
If you have specific questions regarding your child, please contact your child's health care provider or the Carteret
County Health Department at 252-728-8550. You can also refer to the NC Immunization Branch website at
https://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/k-12.htm.
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