Health Services

Altus Public Schools employees three Registered Nurses and one LPN who share the responsibility of providing the best possible care to all students across our seven campuses. School nurses provide education for students and staff, basic first aid, administer medication, manage chronic health conditions, and monitor immunization compliance in accordance with state regulations. In addition, they also provide health assessments, case management, health and wellness screenings, and referrals.

Altus Elementary Altus Junior High
Jennifer Pickett RN
AJH: (580) 481-2630 AES: (580) 481-3022

Altus Elementary

Altus Junior High

Jennifer Pickett RN

AJH: (580) 481-2630

AES: (580) 481-3022

Altus Early Childhood Altus Intermediate
Jordan Walker RN
AECC: (580) 481-3004 AIS: (580) 481-2155

Altus Early Childhood

Altus Intermediate

Jordan Walker RN

AECC: (580) 481-3004

AIS: (580) 481-2155

Rivers Elementary Altus Primary School
Alexa Bates RN
Cell: (580) 480-2037 Rivers: (580) 481-3031 Primary: (580) 481-2185

Rivers Elementary

Altus Primary School

Alexa Bates RN

Cell: (580) 480-2037

Rivers: (580) 481-3031

Primary: (580) 481-2185

Altus High School
Amy Maahs LPN
(580) 481-3094

Tdap Vaccine Requirement For Students Entering 7th Grade

A new requirement has been added to Oklahoma’s school immunization requirements. All students entering the seventh grade beginning with the 2011-2012 school year will be required to have one dose of Tdap vaccine. The following information should help to answer your questions about the new requirement.

Q: What is Tdap vaccine? A: Tdap is a vaccine used to boost immunity to pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria. A dose of Tdap is recommended for all adolescents at age 11-12 years because protection provided by the DTaP shots they received as children wears off after 5 to 10 years.

Q: What is whooping cough? A: Whooping cough, or pertussis, is an illness that causes coughing fits so intense and rapid that patients have difficulty breathing. The lack of oxygen to the brain during coughing fits may lead to brain damage, especially in babies. Although whooping cough is usually a mild disease in adolescents, it can be serious for people of any age. Whooping cough can place a significant burden on families, as a person with whooping cough may be asked to stay home from work or school for at least 5 days while taking antibiotic treatment so they won’t spread the disease to others. Most deaths occur in babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated.

Q: Why do we need a Tdap requirement? A: We need a Tdap requirement for 3 main reasons: • Immunity to whooping cough wears off over time. Preteens, teenagers, and adults are at risk for whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria 5 to 10 years after their last DTaP shot. • Whooping cough has been increasing in the United States especially among teens (1019 years of age) and babies younger than 6 months of age. In 2010, several states reported an increase in whooping cough cases including a statewide epidemic in California. o California reported over 7,000 cases of whooping cough and 10 deaths in babies in 2010. o Texas reported more than 2,000 cases. • High immunization levels will help prevent an increase in the number of cases of whooping cough in Oklahoma.

Q: What is the deadline for students to get the Tdap vaccine? A; Oklahoma’s school law states that Tdap is required for all students attending the 7th grade beginning with the fall 2011 semester, so the deadline is the first day of school of the 2011-2012 school year.

Q: If my child already had whooping cough, should he or she still get the Tdap vaccine? A: Yes, adolescents who have had whooping cough should receive Tdap according to the routine recommendations because individuals can contract the disease again. The length of protection, or immunity, provided by the disease is unknown. Having had the disease is not an exception to the Tdap requirement.

Q: Where can I get the Tdap vaccine for my child? A: Tdap vaccine is available in most doctor’s offices, clinics, and county health departments. Be sure to get a copy of the vaccination record to take to your child’s school and for your records.

Q: Does Tdap vaccine contain thimerosal? A: No. There are two brands of Tdap vaccine on the market, Boostrix® and ADACEL® and neither of these vaccines contains thimerosal.

Q: Does Tdap vaccine cause any reactions? A: Yes, the most common reactions following Tdap are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Other problems reported after Tdap vaccination include: tiredness, fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomachache. No severe problems following Tdap vaccination were seen in adolescents when the vaccine was tested before it was licensed.

Q: How do the vaccine side effects compare to the effects of the diseases? A: Compared to the vaccine, the effects of the diseases are much more severe, even including death. These are some of the problems caused by tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis diseases: Tetanus • Lockjaw (spasms of the jaw muscles) which can lead to trouble breathing • Respiratory failure • Heart failure • Prolonged, painful spasms of the major muscles of the body which can lead to fractures of the spine or leg and arm bones • Acute kidney failure • Coma • Death: 11 out of every 100 reported cases Whooping cough • Pneumonia • Seizures • Permanent brain damage • Death: 2 out of every 1,000 reported cases Diphtheria • Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart which can cause heart failure) • Airway obstruction • Death: 5 to 10 out of every 100 people with diphtheria die from it

Q: If a student has received the 5 dose series of DTaP, does he or she still need to have a dose of Tdap before entering 7th grade? A: Yes, the student must receive a booster does of Tdap to be in compliance with Oklahoma immunization requirements.

Q: Are exemptions to Tdap allowed? A: Yes, exemptions to the Tdap requirement are allowed for medical, religious or personal reasons. Schools have a supply of exemption certificates for parents who request them.

Q: What are the medical reasons for not giving a dose of Tdap? A: People who should not receive Tdap for medical reasons include people of any age who have: • Ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a dose of DTaP, DTP, DT, or Td, • Experienced a coma, or long or multiple seizures within 7 days after receiving a dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine unless a cause other than the vaccine was found.

Q: How can I get more information about the Tdap vaccine and the new requirement? A: For MORE information, visit the Immunization Service web page at: http://www.ok.gov/health/Disease,_Prevention,_Preparedness/Immunizations/ , call the Immunization Service at 1-800-234-6196 or 405-2714073 or ask your regular doctor, nurse or medical clinic.

Parent Information

Immunization Requirements

For school enrollment, a parent or guardian shall provide one of the following:

1. Current, up-to-date immunization records; or

2. A completed and signed exemption form.

According to Oklahoma School Immunization law, all children must present upon school entry a certified immunization record indicating the date and type of immunization received or must present proof that such child is in the process of receiving the required immunizations. The State Board of Health prescribes the immunization requirements and the frequency of their administration. Exemptions to the law may be granted in accordance with the state law and State Health Department requirements.

(Reference: Oklahoma State Law Title 70, Section 1210.191-193 and Oklahoma State Department of Health/Guide to School Administrators.)

OK Certificate of Exemption

First page of the PDF file: GuideToImmRequirements-English23-24

Guide to Immunization Requirements in Oklahoma 2023-2024

First page of the PDF file: GuideToImmunizationRequirements-Spanish-23

Guía de requisitos de inmunización en Oklahoma 2022-23

OSIIS Public Portal Tip Sheet

OSIIS Public Portal is now available! OSIIS collects and maintains accurate, complete, and current immunization records for Oklahomans of all ages (including patient demographics). However, not all clinics participate in OSIIS, therefore OSIIS does not contain the immunization records of all Oklahomans.

Please see the OSIIS Public Portal Tip Sheet above for instructions on how to search for your child's shot record.

Meningococcal Disease Information

Should I Keep My Child at Home?

Occasionally, it may be necessary for a student to remain home from school due to illness. Following a bout of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or fever, your student should stay at home and be observed for further symptoms. Fever will be defined as a temperature of 100 or above, as measured without the use of fever-reducing medication. Other conditions that may require an absence from school include a persistent sore throat, productive or severe cough, ear pain, active head lice, discharge or redness of eye(s), or unusual skin eruptions/rashes. If your child has been seen by their medical provider regarding an illness, please provide the school a copy of their excusal or return to school note.

Please remember that prior to returning to school, your student’s symptoms should be improved and temperature should remain within a normal range for 24 hours - without the use of fever-reducing medication.

If you have any questions regarding an illness or infection, please contact the school front office staff and/or speak with your school nurse.

Medications at School

If possible, it is encouraged that parents give medication at home on a schedule other than during school hours. It is the responsibility of the parent to inform appropriate school personnel of the medical conditions of the student and the medications that the student is taking that may have an effect on their child’s educational success. If it is necessary that medication be given during the school day, a medication permission form must be completed by a parent and supplied to the school along with the medication. You can find a copy of our medication permission form and our district medication policy below:

It is recommended to give medications at home if possible. If it is necessary that a medication be administered by school personnel during school hours, the following procedure must be followed:

A student who needs medication at school must have a current medication form completed and signed by a parent. These forms must be on file with the school office before medication can be brought to and kept at school.
Medication must be supplied and transported to the school office by the parent or guardian. Students are not allowed to carry medications on their person at any time. The only exceptions are emergency medications that have been authorized by both the student’s parent and physician.
All long-term prescription medications require a physician signature on the school medication form. OTC (over-the-counter) medications may be administered with parent permission, however, a physician signature may also be required at the school nurse’s discretion.
The parent or guardian is responsible for promptly notifying the school of any changes to the administration of medication by providing the school with a new medication form.
All medications must be in-date, and provided in the original containers. OTC medications must be in a new, unopened container with original labeling intact. Prescriptions should have a pharmacy label attached with student name, date of birth, prescribing provider’s name, medication name and dose instructions all clearly visible. You may ask your pharmacy to dispense an additional prescription label and bottle for school use if needed.
Emergency medications may be kept on your child’s person if authorized by both physician and parent signature. Please note if medication is kept on their person, an emergency supply should be provided to the school to be kept in the office.
All medications must be picked up by the last day of school by a parent or guardian. If not, they will be properly disposed of. The school cannot send medications home with students.

If you have any questions regarding medications for students, please contact your school nurse. Please see below for a copy of medication permission form and district medication policy:

First page of the PDF file: MedicationPolicy

Altus Public School Medication Policy

First page of the PDF file: MedicationPermissionForm

In This Section

Health Services

Parent Information

Immunization Requirements

Meningococcal Disease Information

Should I Keep My Child at Home?

Medications at School

Emergency Stock Medications

Epinephrine Injectors (EpiPen)

Albuterol Inhalers

Narcan

Forms to Download