WIESBADEN, Germany -- Parents registering their children in Department of Defense Dependents Schools - Europe for the school 2006-2007 school year, which begins Aug. 28 will find they must meet additional immunization requirements.

In coordination with military medical commands, DoDDS-E has added three required inoculations for students attending its schools in the 2006-2007 school year. The three are: Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4); Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (TDAP – adolescent preparation); and Hepatitis A.

The updated version of the immunizations form is available on the Department of Defense Education Activity website at http://www.dodea.edu/communities/medical.htm. Parents should bear in mind that the additional immunizations are age-specific and not all students will require all of the additional vaccines.

Military medical clinics in Europe have indicated they are in short supply of one of the three required vaccines, listed as MCV4 Meningococcal (Menactra). A grace period has been granted by DoDEA to ensure that all DoDDS-E students age 11 and up can complete the vaccination. Children will be given extensions to meet the requirement, and will attend school until the vaccine is available through their community medical facility.

“DoDDS-E schools will work through this with their local clinics,” said DoDDS-E Director, Ms. Diana J. Ohman. “No student should be denied access to school because they have not had this vaccination. All schools should hear from the clinics when the vaccine arrives, and then parents need to be notified when it is available.”

The Medical Materiel Office in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, is ordering adequate quantities of the vaccine according to Percy Brazier of Defense Logistics Agency-Europe. The guidelines for military dependent children follow the guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and are based upon recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

These are minimum requirements. Additional requirements may be determined by the military medical commands based upon needs in specific locations. Parents can contact their child’s school nurse for information and guidance.

As students prepare to head back to school — most DoDDS-Europe schools will open their doors Monday, Aug. 28 — the CDC-P (external site) offers a host of resources for the parents of children of all ages.

Dennis K. Bohannon,
Public Affairs Officer
Office of the Director
DoDDS-Europe
DSN 338-7612/7614
CIV (49) 0611-380-7612/7614
FAX: DSN 338-7685 CIV 0611-380-7685
Dennis.Bohannon@eu.dodea.edu

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