Immunization Project
The Immunization Project of the Knox County Health Department maintains surveillance of immunizations for all children in Knox County for a minimum period of two years. This surveillance has been conducted for over 30 years in an effort to maintain high levels of immunization against vaccine preventable disease in our children. Through the combined use of birth records and the statewide Immunization Registry, the Immunization Project works to ensure that all children receive immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases on schedule. Entrance into any daycare, kindergarten, or school in Tennessee requires proof of these immunizations. The Immunization Project works with the Department of Human Services to audit all of the licensed daycares in Knox County. In addition, the Immunization Project provides access to the Immunization Registry for area health care providers to make certain that children are adequately immunized.
Parents of children who will be entering day care or school for the first time may obtain their entrance "green cards" for school or "yellow cards" for day care by calling 215-5150. These cards contain the most up-to-date vaccination information for children. The cards will be available for pick up at the Main Health Department or mailed to the home.
Additionally, the Immunization Project provides newborn information packets to all local hospitals.
Immunizations for Vaccine-preventable diseases include:
DTaP – Diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus
Hepatitis B
Poliomyelitis
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib)
Measles *
Mumps *
Rubella *
Varicella
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)
Meningococcal Disease types A, C, Y, & W135 (to be made available in the latter part of 2005)
*administered as a combination vaccine MMR
Immunizations required for entrance into Tennessee Schools:
DTaP, Hep. B, Polio, Hib*, MMR, and Varicella (Chicken Pox) *required for day care entrance only
