Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) has issued a reminder that students must be vaccinated to participate in sports, extracurricular activities, or school events. The district encourages families to check immunization records to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
According to PCPS, Virginia has updated its school vaccine requirements by adding immunizations for Meningitis, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and Hepatitis A to the previously required vaccines. Students must have these vaccinations to attend school or daycare on time. Families are urged to ensure their children are vaccinated before the school year begins.
Under Virginia law, parents, guardians, or persons acting in place of parents are required to have children immunized according to schedules established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). These immunizations are mandated for attendance at schools, child care centers, and similar facilities. They include vaccines for Hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, polio, pneumococcal disease, HPV, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and meningococcal disease. Vaccines must be administered by qualified healthcare professionals or through local health departments. These departments provide them at no cost to eligible children under programs such as Vaccines for Children (VFC), Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS). The Department of Health seeks reimbursement where applicable.
Healthcare providers or health departments administering required vaccines must issue a certificate documenting the diseases covered by the vaccine doses and administration dates. The State Board of Health establishes and periodically updates regulations to align with recommended vaccines while allowing for public comment before adoption. Exemptions exist for religious objections or medical contraindications; parents may also opt out of the HPV vaccine at their discretion. The Board reviews these requirements annually and provides recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.
PCPS serves approximately 4,400 students across nine schools with a staff of 672 and an annual budget of $70.5 million. The district’s mission is focused on preparing students as 21st-century citizens capable of collaboration, communication, and innovation. Its vision emphasizes transforming learning opportunities so every student graduates with a wide range of choices. PCPS is governed by a seven-member School Board elected to four-year terms responsible for setting policies, approving staff hires, and overseeing the budget. Superintendent Yolonda Brown leads the district with board meetings generally held twice monthly and open to the public.
