FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
BETTY COXE
CHARLIE CRIST
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Commissioner
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
CONTACT PERSON
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Dianne
Mennitt
Phone:
(850)
488-6726
(850)
922-3727
Suncom:
278-6726
292-3727
E-mail:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
dmennitt@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
DPS: 03-019
M E M O R A N D U M
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
Betty Coxe
DATE:
August 12, 2002
SUBJECT:
NATIONAL TETANUS AND DIPHTHERIA (TD) SHORTAGE AND TD
SEVENTH GRADE IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT UPDATE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on information from the
manufacturer, anticipates that the Td supply is now sufficient to return to the routine
schedule as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP). The attached memorandum from the Florida Department of Health includes
updated recommendations from the ACIP for administration of tetanus diphtheria (Td)
vaccine.
The Florida Department of Education continues to work with the Florida Department of
Health, Bureau of Immunization, to monitor the situation and maintain open
communication as changes occur. The Department of Health memorandum
recommends an incremental return to the routine Td immunization schedule.
Please
note that Td vaccine is now recommended for all students who are either entering
or attending seventh grade or when their Temporary Medical Exemption (TME)
expires.
District School Superintendents
August 12, 2002
Page Two
We encourage school district and designated school staff to continue to work closely
with the county health department to facilitate parent and student compliance with
immunization requirements. Recall of students whose TMEs have not expired is not
recommended at this time. However, during the 2002-2003 school year, the recall of
students with extended TMEs will be revisited, as sufficient Td vaccine becomes
available.
If you have questions or comments regarding the school immunization requirements,
please contact Phyllis Yambor, Department of Health, at (850) 245-4342 (SunCom 205-
4342) or Dianne Mennitt at (850) 922-3727 (SunCom 292-3727).
BC:dmo
Attachment
cc: Student Services Directors
School Health Services Coordinators
Dropout Prevention Coordinators
Student Data Base Contacts
MIS Directors
Charles Alexander, Chief, Bureau of Immunization
Jeb Bush
John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A.
Governor
Secretary
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
DATE:
July 8, 2002
TO:
County Health Department Directors/Administrators
FROM:
Bonita J. Sorensen, M.D., M.B.A.
Deputy State Health Officer
SUBJECT:
National Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) Shortage and Td Seventh Grade Immunization
Requirement
ACTION
REQUIRED:
Utilize
new
recommendations.
Effective Immediately
This is a follow-up to the January 16, 2002, memorandum sent to county health departments regarding the
national shortage of tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccine. Based on information from the manufacturer, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention anticipates that the Td supply is now sufficient to return to the
routine schedule as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Attached is a copy of the recommendations,
Notice to Readers: Resumption of Routine Schedule for
Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids, June 21, 2002/51 (24); 529-530.
The recommendations can be found
on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Web site at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5124a5.htm
All persons involved with the administration of immunizations and/or disease surveillance should read
and become familiar with these recommendations.
While optimistic, the Department of Health recommends an incremental return to the routine Td
immunization schedule. The following recommendations for the use of Td vaccine should be
employed in order to minimize the burden on parents, schools, private health care providers, and
county health department personnel.
•
Continue to administer Td vaccine to all persons presenting for wound management.
•
Administer Td vaccine to all persons presenting for routine boosters or school immunization
requirements—students who are either entering/attending 7
th
grade or whose Temporary Medical
Exemptions (TMEs) have expired.
•
Immunize students with Td vaccine as their TMEs expire throughout the 2002/2003
school year.
•
Do not issue any new TMEs or extend any expired TMEs for Td vaccine.
4052 Bald Cypress Way
•
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1701
County Health Department Directors/Administrators
Page Two
July 8, 2002
•
Do not recall any students whose TMEs have not expired. The recall of students will be revisited
prior to the end of 2002 as sufficient Td vaccine becomes available.
In order to implement these recommendations, county health departments are automatically being shipped
a two-month supply of Td vaccine minus current inventory. Beginning in August, county health
departments should resume ordering a two-month supply of Td minus inventory.
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization recognizes the negative impact that
the vaccine shortage has had on the county health departments, private health care providers, and
schools and wants to thank everyone involved with immunizations for their patience. The
immunization program will continue to monitor the situation and maintain open communication
as the vaccine supply normalizes. Td for wound care should continue to be administered
according to ACIP recommendations.
Should you have questions about the Td vaccine supply, please contact David Miller at
(850) 245-4342, or SunCom 205-4342. If you have questions regarding the school immunization
requirement, please contact Phyllis Yambor at (850) 245-4342, or SunCom 205-4342.
BJS/pey
cc:
Mary Jo Butler, Program Director, Intervention and Prevention Services
Department of Education
Laura Rutledge, R.N., Medicaid
Annie R. Neasman, R.N., M.S.
Deputy Secretary for Health
Landis K. Crockett, M.D., M.P.H., Director
Division of Disease Control
Annette Phelps, A.R.N.P., M.S.N., Director
Division of Family Health Services
Charles McArthur, R.P.H., Central Pharmacy
Charles H. Alexander, Chief
Bureau of Immunization
County Health Department Nursing Directors
Bureau of Immunization Field Staff
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
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