School-age children in Minnesota could be in line for more vaccines. The Minnesota Department of Health has proposed requiring the hepatitis A and B vaccine for children in child-care or preschool. They also recommend replacing the 7th grade tetanus-diphtheria vaccine with one that includes pertussis. And, they've proposed a meningococcal vaccination, which would be given beginning in 7th grade.
Federal health officials already recommend these additional vaccinations, and if they are approved in Minnesota, they'd begin in September 2014.
The department plans to adopt the changes through its rulemaking authority without a public hearing. But if 25 or more people submit a written request for a hearing on the rules by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31, the department will hold a public hearing. Information on how to request a hearing or comment on the rules can be found here.
