Vital Stats: 207K – Number of students enrolled at Bronx public schools. (Source: New York City Department of Education)

On the eve of the first day of school for Bronx students, city education officials have already begun to remind parents about some requirements that go beyond school supplies: vaccinations.

A listing of required vaccinations for students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade outline vaccinations needed to ensure students ward off illness and academics carry on. Of all students in need of shots, young ones at or below the age of four years old receive the bulk of the shots, which now include the flu shot. The latest mandate by the state Health Department includes two doses of measles, mumps and rubella shots, needed before children attend school. A breakdown of vaccinations follows:

Pre-Kindergarten: Mandatory shots include four shots for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); three doses of the polio; one for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); three doses for Hepatits B; one for the chickenpox; one to four doses of haemophilus influenza type B conjugate (Hib); one to four doses for pneumococcal conjugate (PCV); and one shot for influenza.

Kindergarten-Grade 1: Five DTaP shots are required. Should a child receive their first DTaP at age four, then only four shots are required; four doses of the polio vaccine; two MMR doses; three doses for Hepatitis B; and two doses for chickenpox. Children are required to get two doses of MMR or they cannot attend school.
(Note: If a child has received these vaccines before the age of four then there’s no need to re-immunize.)

Grades 2-5: Five DTaP shots are required. Should a child begin their series of shots before age 7, they only need three doses; three shots for polio; two doses for MMR; three doses for Hepatitis B; and one dose for chickenpox.
(Note: If a child has received these vaccines before the age of four, then there’s no need to re-immunize.)

Grades 6-7: Three DTaP doses are needed; one dose for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster (Tdap) is mandatory; four doses of polio (or three doses ONLY if the third dose was received at four years of age or older); two doses for MMR; three doses for Hepatitis B; two doses for chickenpox.
(Note: If a child has received these vaccines before the age of four then there’s no need to re-immunize.)

Grades 8-12: Three DTaP doses are needed; one Tdap shot is mandatory; three doses for polio; two doses for MMR; three doses for Hepatitis B; one dose for chickenpox.
(Note: If a child has received these vaccines before the age of four then there’s no need to re-immunize.)

Shots are available throughout Montefiore Medical Centers, with vaccination clinics scattered throughout the Bronx. Appointments and walk-ins are accepted, with nurses often administering doses. Getting a shot well before school begins is critical, given the usual two week waiting period for some vaccines, particularly the flu shot, to kick in. Various immunization methods are available to children, according to Dr. Iona Mujal, Director of the pediatric antimicrobial stewardship program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).

“Many children, particularly those without underlying medical conditions, have the option of getting an intranasal vaccine, a nasal spray, instead of the injection which spares them the discomfort of a shot,” said Mujal.

Also, uninsured and undocumented families can get free or low cost care that includes vaccines and flu shots at Federally Qualified Health Centers. They include the Comprehensive Family Care Center, 1621 Eastchester Rd. (718) 405-8040; West Farms Family Practice, 1055 E. Tremont Ave. (718) 842-8040; Williamsbridge Family Practice Center, 3448 Boston Rd. (718) 547-6111; and South Bronx Campus, 701 St. Ann’s Ave. (718) 402-7618.