Ohio's Immunization Requirements Haven't Changed, Even as Federal Recommendations Have
On August 11, National PTA responded to an executive order that decreases the number of vaccinations recommended for all children, separates combination vaccines into single vaccines, and discourages school-based vaccination requirements. It follows January's change to the CDC's routine childhood schedule and arrives right at the start of the school year. While the national news narrative has focused on changes at the federal government, our families should understand that school immunization requirements here are set by state law and the Ohio Department of Health, not by federal recommendations. Ohio hasn't adopted the January changes or the latest executive order, and what applied last year still applies.
You don't need a big production. Pick whatever matches your capacity:
- An hour of your time. Share National PTA's August 11 statement and link the Ohio Department of Health's Immunization Summary for School Attendance. Make sure to note that Ohio's requirements haven't changed.
- An afternoon. Send families a short explainer covering what's required by grade, the fourteen-day deadline in state law, where to find their child's records, and who to ask. We've posted a template you can adapt at https://www.ohiopta.org/
hws/ohio-immunization- explainer/. Run it past your school nurse and/or administration before it goes out. - A few weeks. Host a fall wellness night with your county health district or a local children's hospital, with a nurse taking questions and staff on hand to help families pull records.
Remember to focus on what state law requires and where families can get accurate information. This isn't the place to stake a claim in favor or against immunization in general, and we don't want to risk alienating families that we are asking to join our ranks. Keep in mind, too, that we are here to help! Reach out with any questions about what's appropriate or for help crafting your message/event to advocacy@ohiopta.org.