IMMUNIZATIONS

Virginia State Required Immunizations

Documentary proof is required prior to entering school. Please ask your physician for a copy to provide to the school health office.

Tdap: Effective July 1, 2006, a booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering the 6th grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. Documentation MUST be provided to the clinic prior to the first day of school.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV): Effective October 1, 2008, a complete series of 3 doses of HPV vaccine is required for females. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 6th grade.

After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent’s or guardian’s sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.

Bishop's Letter to Parent
VA Dept. of Health Ltr to Parents

For more information, please go to:
VDH School Required Immunizations Website
FDA Vaccines Website

MEDICATIONS

The following guidelines are outlined in the Office of Catholic Schools Policies and Guidelines and Virginia Health Guidelines Manual.

• OLGC does NOT provide medications for student use
• Medication forms are required for each Prescription and Over The Counter (OTC) medications administered in school. Prescription medications, herbal and OTC medications taken 4 or more consecutive days also require a licensed healthcare provider's (LHCP) written order. No medication will be accepted by school personnel without the accompanying completed medication authorization form.
• ALL medication must be transported to and from school by a parent/guardian.
• All medication must be in their original container and properly labeled. (NO baggies will be accepted).
• Students are NOT permitted to self medicate unless the student has prior written approval to self-carry a medication (inhaler, Epi-pen).
• Within one week after expiration of the effective date on the order, or on the last day of school, the parent or guardian must personally collect any unused portion of the medication. Medications not claimed within that period will be destroyed.

INFLUENZA - Can be spread from coughing, sneezing, or by touching an object that has been coughed or sneezed on.

• Symptoms usually appear 1 to 3 days after exposure.
• Flu symptoms can include a sudden on set of headache, fever, chills, cough, sore throat and body aches. If your child comes down with the flu, PLEASE keep them home.
• The usual treatment for the flu includes rest, liquids and over-the-counter medicine (e.g. acetaminophen [Tylenol]). Aspirin should not be given to children with influenza because of the possibility of causing a complication called Reye Syndrome. If your child does not respond to Tylenol to reduce fever, call your doctor.

The best way to prevent the flu:

HANDWASHING!! Encourage your child (and you too!) to wash hands with soap and warm water after coughing and sneezing, before and after eating, before and after bathroom AND dry hands.

YOU CAN DO THE FOLLOWING TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE FLU (AND GERMS!):

• Washing hands often
• Cover or sneeze into bend of elbow instead of your hand
• Not touching your mouth, nose, or eyes (which, is how germs get in)
• Steering clear of people who are sick from the Flu
• Stay home until symptom free or until your doctor clears your student to return to school.

More Information: FLU.gov

Good Hand-washing will keep germs away:

Please help us in reminding your child to wash hands before and after eating, after sneezing, coughing, and after bathroom use. Remember to wash with soap and water AND for 20 seconds (sing Happy Birthday while washing hands).

When to keep your Child at Home:

If your child wakes up in the morning with a headache, stomach ache, or generally not feeling well, please keep them home. You may bring your child in at a later time, if he is feeling better.

PLEASE KEEP THEM HOME IF THEY HAVE A FEVER, VOMITING, DIARRHEA.They are to be symptom free for 24 hours without the aid of medication prior to returning to school.

Communicable Diseases:

A letter will be issued to either grade level or school wide for any communicable disease(chickenpox, strep, flu, head lice, etc.) confirmed by a doctor.