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San Francisco Department of Public Health Encourages Families to Prioritize Vaccines and TB Screenings as New School Year Approaches

Department of Public Health

Vaccines and TB screenings are safe and effective ways to prevent illness and outbreaks in our schools and communities

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is strongly encouraging families to prioritize getting all required vaccinations and—if entering a new school— a tuberculosis (TB) screening as the school year quickly approaches. These actions are essential for protecting students and the community from serious, preventable diseases.

Safe and Effective Vaccines

Vaccines are safe and incredibly effective at protecting children and the community against serious illnesses such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough), chickenpox and polio.

“The rise in measles cases nationally is a reminder that we cannot let our guard down against serious and highly contagious diseases,” said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip. “Families must continue to make sure that their children are getting the required vaccines so they can focus on learning and not getting sick. If you have not done so, please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider today.”

California school and childcare vaccine requirements are unchanged. Based on their age, students need to receive the following vaccines before the school year starts:

  • Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis
  • Polio
  • Hepatitis B
  • Measles, Mumps and Rubella
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

All vaccines recommended by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, including those required for childcare or school, continue to be covered by insurance in California. The vaccines are widely available through healthcare providers and pharmacies.

TB Screening 

Students in San Francisco who are entering a new school are required to be screened for TB before attending. This policy has been in place since 2014. Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk than others. The screenings include an assessment of TB risk factors:

  • Contact with a person who is sick from active TB at any time during your child’s lifetime
  • Birth, residence or travel for at least 1 month in regions of the world with higher rates of TB
  • Medicines or medical conditions that weaken the immune system.

Students identified with one or more risk factor are required to complete TB symptom review and testing to identify if they have TB prior to school entry. A person can harbor latent TB infection for months or years without symptoms. At this early stage, TB is not infectious, but people can later go on to become sick with active TB disease which is contagious. Early identification of TB while it is still in a latent stage allows children to receive treatment to keep from getting sick with active TB and passing it on to others.

“TB is a very serious disease and while uncommon, outbreaks at schools can happen,” said SFDPH Tuberculosis Branch Director Dr. Susannah Graves. “Screening is an essential tool to stay healthy and prevent the potential spread of TB at schools. Along with vaccinations, families should discuss TB screening as part of back-to-school planning.”

Resources: 

SFDPH: www.sf.gov/get-vaccines

www.sf.gov/tb-education-and-outreach-public

CDPH: www.shotsforschool.org

My Digital Vaccine Record: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/