New Immunization Requirements

New Immunization Requirements for 2010-2011 School Year

Each year, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment issues its updated immunization requirements for any child attending school. Immunizations are used to protect children from once-common highly infectious diseases. The requirements for the 2010-11 school year are made based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. These include:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP): Five doses required. Four doses are acceptable, if dose 4 is given on or after the 4th birthday. Booster dose of Tdap is required at 7th grade if more than two years since previous dose of tetanus.
• Poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV): Four doses required. Three doses are acceptable if dose 3 is given on or after the fourth birthday.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Two doses required.
• Hepatitis B: Three doses required through grade 10.
• Varicella (chickenpox): Two doses required for Kindergarten and grade 1; one dose required grades 2-10 unless a history of varicella disease is documented by a licensed physician. Two doses are currently recommended by the ACIP for all ages.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Three doses required for children less than 5 years of age in early childhood programs. Total doses needed are dependent on the type of vaccine and the age of the child when doses are given.
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV): Four doses required for children less than 5 years of age in early childhood programs. Total doses needed is dependent on the age of the child when doses given.
• Hepatitis A: Two doses are required for children less than 5 years of age in early childhood programs.

In certain cases, exemptions to vaccination are allowed. These include:

• Chickenpox: If your child has had the disease, please provide written documentation of the date from your physician.
• Religious Exemptions: Please provide a written statement with signature and date if you are a member of a religious denomination whose teachings are opposed to such immunizations.
• Medical Exemptions: Please provide a yearly written statement from your physician indicating the immunizations your child cannot receive.

The complete ACIP recommendations can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm . If you would like more information about immunization requirements, you also are welcome to contact your school nurse.

Spring Hill Elementary: Diane Diedrich, 592-7142, diedrich@usd230.org
Prairie Creek Elementary: Wendy Redman, 592-7167, redmanw@usd230.org
Spring Hill Intermediate: Monique Stewart, 592-7170, stewartm@usd230.org
Spring Hill Middle School: Helen Kuttes, 592-7228, kuttesh@usd230.org
Spring Hill High School: Renee Bussell, 592-7253, bussellr@usd230.org