Health Office

 

Immunization Requirements at Cairo American College

In order to keep our school population healthy, we require the following vaccines. We are aware that our students come from all over the world, and each country has its own set of vaccine requirements.  We have used the WHO and U.S.A. recommendations, in consultation with local practices in order to arrive at these requirements.

Polio- Polio is a viral disease, still present in a few parts of the world.  Documentation of  at least four  doses of the vaccine are required (they can be either given orally (live vaccine) or injectable form (IPV)

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertusis is a triple vaccine that protects against each of these diseases.  Five doses of the vaccine are necessary before kindergarten.  The last dose can be given at age 4, so if a student is in preK, they are required to receive it.

Measles, mumps and rubella is another triple vaccine that protects against these viral diseases.  This is a live vaccine.  Children need to have two vaccines by pre-kindergarten.  These diseases are seen quite regularly in Egypt, and are very contagious.

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus, and is also prevalent in Egypt.  Three doses of the vaccine ( day one, 1 month later, then 5 months later)  are required prior to preK.

Hepatitis A is a viral disease, spread by contaminated food and water.  The incidence in Egypt is high and it is contagious, hence we require the vaccine prior to pre Kindergarten, or proof of the disease.  This is a two shot series, 6-12 months apart.

No other vaccines are required, but some people take varicella (chickenpox), meningitis, influenza (for asthmatics and diabetics), and rabies pre-exposure vaccine.  Please consult your pediatrician for their recommendations.

Your child must also be screened for tuberculosis (with a PPD) or have received the BCG vaccine for admission to school.

Should you have an objection to vaccines, a physician’s letter must be supplied to our office.  The following School board policy (File 8.6023) applies to immunizations at CAC:

Immunizations for communicable childhood diseases and for certain diseases endemic to Egypt are required for students attending CAC. Required immunizations are based upon the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.   A thirty-day grace period is allowed for students who have not fulfilled the requirements of this policy upon enrollment at CAC.  In the event that a student has a special reason for not receiving an immunization, the parents/guardians of that student must submit a written request for exemption accompanied by a doctor’s explanation to the Health Office and administration.

Links for more information:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/
mm5551a7.htm?s_cid=mm5551a7_e

 

Reviewed 5/07 mem