Mississippi changes requirements for childhood immunizations Published July 17, 2007 Mississippi Department of Health KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Mississippi Department of Health announced two new requirements for childhood immunizations effective for the 2007-08 year. These requirements are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and must be met in order for a child to enroll in any child care facility or school within the state. Effective Aug. 1, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) or "Prevnar," has been added as a child care requirement for children under 5 years old entering child care for the first time. Parents of children already in child care should also start making plans to make sure their children have been vaccinated with this pneumonia vaccine. Starting in January, all children, including those already enrolled in child care, are required to be vaccinated with the recommended doses of the pneumococcal vaccine. Children 5 years and older entering day care, child care and after-school care aren't required to receive PCV7. Also effective Aug. 1, children entering school for the first time must have two doses of the varicella vaccine (chickenpox vaccine), have a history of chickenpox or a positive lab test showing immunity to chickenpox. Parents of students already enrolled in Mississippi schools are encouraged to get their children vaccinated with a second dose of varicella. One dose of varicella vaccine or a history of chickenpox became a requirement in Mississippi for entry into child care and 5-year-old kindergarten in 2002. According to Tech. Sgt. Wendell Wigfall, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 81st Medical Operations Squadron allergy and immunization clinic, the Air Force has been giving the first dose of varicella at 12 months since 1995. The new vaccine requirements, other required vaccines and Mississippi Certificates of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) are available at Keesler Medical Center's immunization clinic on a walk-in basis. For more information, call 228-376-3553 or 3552.