Section 22-B131. DIPHTHERIA, TETANUS, WHOLE-CELL OR ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS

 

131.1The first dose of diphtheria, tetanus, whole-cell pertussis (DTP) or diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) shall be administered not earlier than six (6) weeks of age and not later than two (2) months of age.

 

131.2The second dose of DTP or DTaP shall be administered not earlier than four (4) weeks after the first dose and not later than two (2) months after the first dose.

 

131.3The third dose of DTP or DTaP shall be administered not earlier than four (4) weeks after the second dose and not later than two (2) months after the second dose.

 

131.4A fourth dose of DTP or DTaP shall be administered:

 

(a)Not earlier than six (6) months after the third dose;

 

(b)Not earlier than twelve (12) months of age; and

 

(c)By nineteen (19) months of age.

 

131.5A booster, or fifth dose of DTP or DTaP, shall be administered:

 

(a)Not earlier than six (6) months after the previous dose;

 

(b)Not earlier than four (4) years of age; and

 

(c)Not later than the fifth birthday.

 

131.6A fifth dose of DTP or DTaP shall not be required for a student who received the fourth dose on or after four (4) years of age.

 

131.7Any licensed DTaP or DTP vaccine or combination vaccine may be administered as an alternate for any dose of the series for which it is licensed.

 

131.8For a student under seven (7) years of age, pediatric diphtheria tetanus (DT) vaccine may be administered instead of DTaP or DTP only when the provider follows current acceptable guidelines for valid contraindications for pertussis vaccine, as recommended by the ACIP. If DT is administered instead of DTaP or DTP, a physician or Advance Practice Nurse shall also provide a signed medical exemption request for pertussis to the student's parent or guardian for the certification required by D.C. Official Code § 38-502.

 

131.9If a student receives pediatric DT instead of DTaP or DTP, the number and timing of the doses needed to complete the DT series shall be as follows:

 

(a)If the first dose of DT is administered at twelve (12) months of age or younger, four (4) doses shall be administered, with the remaining three (3) doses being given according to the schedule stated in §§ 131.2 to 131.4;

 

(b)If the first dose of DT is administered after twelve (12) months of age, three (3) doses shall be administered. The second dose shall be administered no earlier than four (4) weeks after the first dose but not later than two (2) months after the first dose. The third dose shall be administered six (6) months after the second dose; and

 

(c)If the third or fourth dose of DT was administered before four (4) years of age, the student shall have a booster dose at age four (4) and not later than five (5) years of age.

 

source

Final Rulemaking published at 44 DCR 1656 (March 21, 1997); Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 5253 (May 2, 2008).