“Vax to School” Ad Spreads Word on New Immunization Requirements

A new statewide campaign is encouraging parents to have their middle-schoolers vaccinated.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Healthʻs “Vax to School” broadcast announcement is aiming to inform parents about the new 7th-grade immunization requirements.

Under the new requirements, which will go into effect at the beginning of the next school year, incoming 7th graders must have received the Tdap, HPV, and MCV vaccines before the first day of school.

In addition to television and radio announcements that will air throughout the year, parents of current 6th graders will receive an informational packet from their childʻs school.

Campaign advertisements will also appear in MidWeek and other local publications, and posters will be displayed at schools and in the offices of healthcare providers statewide.

Students are required to receive one dose each of Tdap and MCV and two doses of HPV, which is provided six months apart from each dose.

The department is encouraging parents of current 6th graders to schedule the first HPV vaccination as soon as possible so that the second dose can be administered before the next school year begins.

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