Who receives a tick vaccine for children at school? - briefly
Students enrolled in the school’s immunization program, especially those in elementary grades where tick exposure is common, receive the vaccine.
Who receives a tick vaccine for children at school? - in detail
The tick vaccine is administered to school‑aged children to protect against diseases transmitted by Ixodes ticks, primarily Lyme disease. Eligibility is determined by age, geographic risk, health status, and parental authorization.
Children who qualify for the immunization include:
- Students aged five to twelve years, the age group most frequently exposed during outdoor activities.
- Pupils attending schools located in regions where tick‑borne illness incidence exceeds a predefined threshold.
- Children with a documented history of tick bites or prior diagnosis of a tick‑related infection, when recommended by a health professional.
- Learners whose parents or guardians have provided written consent for vaccination under the school health program.
The school health office coordinates the vaccination process. After consent forms are received, the office schedules a series of two intramuscular injections, spaced four weeks apart, in accordance with the manufacturer’s protocol. Each dose is recorded in the student’s health card and entered into the district’s immunization database. The program also includes post‑vaccination observation for immediate adverse reactions and provides information on common side effects.
Medical contraindications exclude children with severe allergic reactions to any component of the vaccine, those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, or individuals with a known immune deficiency that could impair vaccine efficacy. In such cases, the school health staff refer the child to a pediatric specialist for alternative preventive measures.
Overall, the program targets all enrolled students who meet the age and exposure criteria, have no medical contraindications, and whose parents have authorized the injection, ensuring comprehensive protection against tick‑borne diseases within the school environment.