Parents of incoming 7th graders for 25-26 school year:

Your child is required by the State of Texas to have two immunizations PRIOR to starting 7th grade.

• Tdap booster

• Meningococcal (MCV4)

You may drop off updated shot records the week prior to school starting or email them to Rrister@merkelisd.net 

If your child does not have all the required immunizations according to State law, they will not be eligible to start the 2025-2026 school year. 

Bring your child’s immunization records to the doctor/clinic when getting the required shots.

Places to receive immunizations: (Call before going to check on days, hours open and cost)

Your child’s doctor

Resource Care – Merkel 325-928-0014

Abilene Taylor County Health Department 325-692-5600

Sweetwater/Nolan County Health Dept 325-235-5463

Merkel Drug 325-928-5012

Abilene Community Health Center 325-696-0600

Dyess Air Force Base (Dependents Only) 325-696-4577

For immunization exemptions, please go to the Texas Department of State Health Services website:

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/exemptions.aspx

Be sure the legal name and date of birth are correctly entered when you order the exemption form.

Exemption affidavits must be notarized (applicable vaccines must be checked off in front of the notary), renewed every two years and there is no provisional enrollment while waiting on an exemption affidavit according to the State of Texas DSHS Immunization Unit.

*For exemption information, please see Merkel ISD website —> Health Services —> Immunizations/Vaccines —> Immunization Exemptions.

A state of Texas notarized exemption affidavit must be on file prior to student attending school. 

Thank you for completing this prior to school starting.

Rachelle Rister, RN

Middle School

325-928-5511 Ext 1206