Requirements Boost Middle School Shots

Middle school children are more likely to get recommended shots if their states require them, a new study finds. The study focused on 2 shots that U.S. guidelines recommend for boys and girls ages 11 to 12. The TdaP vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. An alternate vaccine, Td, protects against just the first two. Menactra protects against meningococcal disease. The new study looked at immunization rates for the 2008-2009 school year. At the time, 32 states required TdaP or Td. Only 3 required Menactra. About 80% of kids ages 13 to 17 received TdaP or Td in states that required them for entry into middle school. The rate was 70% in other states. In states that required Menactra, 71% received it compared with 53% in other states. The journal Pediatrics published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it May 7.