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Health & Wellness » Immunizations & Screenings

Immunizations & Screenings

 
2022-2023 State Vaccine Requirements
 
 
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Texas school and child-care facility immunization requirements are determined by the state legislature and set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency. Maintaining adequate immunization rates in schools is critical to preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring the health of Texas children. Please see the charts below to see what is required for your student.
 
 
 
 
 
Required Health Screenings
 
Vision and Hearing Screening:
The Vision and Hearing Screening Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) works to identify children with vision and hearing disorders. The Texas Health and Safety Code requires that all children enrolled for the first time in any public, private, parochial, or denominational school in Texas or who meet certain grade criteria (specified below), must be screened or have a professional examination for possible vision and hearing problems. 
 
These requirements apply each year for children at the ages or grades listed below:
  • Children who turn 4-years-old by September 1, kindergartners or any other first-time entrants (4 years* through twelfth grade) - screening must be done within 120 days of admission.
  • First, third, fifth, and seventh graders - screening must be done anytime within the school year (preferably within the first semester).
 
 
Spinal Screening:
The requirements for Spinal Screening apply each year for all children who attend public and private schools, to detect abnormal spinal curvature. The school is required to notify the parents if a child shows any signs of a possible curvature.
 
In compliance with Health and Safety Code, Chapter 37, all children shall undergo screening for abnormal spinal curvature in accordance with the following schedule:
  • Girls will be screened two times. Once at age 10 (or fall semester of fifth grade) and again at age 12 (or fall semester of seventh grade).
  • Boys will be screened one time at age 13 or 14 (or the fall of eighth grade.
 
The school is then required to notify the parents if a child shows any signs of a possible curvature.
 
 
Acanthosis Nigricans Screening:
The Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children is a legislatively mandated program developed, coordinated, and administrated by The University of Texas Pan-American Border Health Office (BHO). The program assesses children who may be at high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. 
 
  • During the vision/hearing and scoliosis screenings of first, third, fifth, and seventh graders in public and private schools, certified individuals assess children for the acanthosis nigricans marker, a skin condition that signals high insulin levels.
  • Children who are positively identified with the marker undergo additional assessments of body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, and blood pressure. Referrals are issued to the parents of these children, alerting each parent of their child's risk factors and encouraging further evaluation from a health professional.
 
Becoming aware of and understanding what the risk factors suggest can help stimulate the changes necessary to prevent or delay future health problems for children at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and other conditions.