School vaccine rules updated.

Official discusses changes to certain requirements

As students and parents begin to turn their eye toward back-toschool season, Montgomery County Heath Department officials are spreading the word about some new revisions to the school immunization regulations that go into effect in August.

Kalyn Roberts, supervisor and public health nursing and immunization coordinator for the Montgomery County Health Department, gave a presentation before the Montgomery County Commissioners Thursday listing the new changes taking place. The goal is to keep children healthy and help avoid an overflow of students at the doctors office looking to get their shots before school starts. Per the law, some students may be excluded from school if they do not have the proper vaccines.

“This will affect every school age child in Montgomery County, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, kindergarten through 12th grade,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where they go to school. Public, private, cyber, home school — it will affect every child.”

Among the changes are a combination form of the diphtheria and tetanus vaccine, acknowledgement of the pertussis component of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, a requirement of the combination form for measles, mumps and rubella and a requirement of the second dose of meningo- coccal vaccine for entry into 12th grade, or for ungraded schools, in the school year the child turns 18, said Roberts.

In seventh grade, students are required to have a dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine and one dose of the meningococcal vaccine.

“That’s not new,” Roberts said. “What’s new is that they need this by the first day. In the past they had eight months to receive this vaccine. Nowthey need it on the first day of school or they will be excluded.”

Students heading into their senior year will have five days to receive the second dose of themeningococcal vaccine, “or theywill also be excluded from school.”

Other new compliance guidelines include:

• • Achild must have a single dose vaccine on the first day or risk exclusion

• In the case of a multi-dose vaccine, a child must have at least one dose of the vaccine on school entry or risk exclusion

• Children have five days to come into compliance with both requirements above (if medically appropriate) “So the first day of school and the fifth day of school are going to be big ones,” said Roberts. If a student receives a multi-series vaccine that they cannot get the first week of school, such as the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, and can’t receive another dose for 30 days, they must provide a medical certificate signed by a doctor to the school nurse during the first week of school. The certificate must show when their appointment is scheduled to get the vaccine. Children in all grades need the following immunizations for attendance:

• Four doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (one dose on or after fourth birthday)

• Fourdosesofpolio (fourth dose on or after fourth birthday and at least six months after previous dose given)

• Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella

•Three doses of hepatitis B

• Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity (history of chickenpox or antibody titer) There are several waivers and exceptions to these new guidelines such as children who are homeless, those unable to get to their medical records due to a disaster, a child who transfers into the school or a national vaccine shortage. Children can also be exempt from the guidelines for religious, medical or philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction, said Roberts. “So what should parents do?” she said. “They should call their physician. Find out of their children need any vaccinations in order to get into school the first day.” Those without insurance or a doctor can contact the county to find out about free or low-cost shots available. For full details about the changes to the vaccine law, visit http://www. montcopa.org/2758/ School-Vaccine-LawChanges