Updated Maryland immunization regulations mean additional vaccinations are required for students entering kindergarten and 7th grade for the 2015-2016 school year. These immunization requirements were new for students entering those grades this school year (2014-2015).
- Students entering kindergarten in 2015-2016 will be required to have had two (2) doses of Varicella vaccine (for Chickenpox). Prior to the current school year, only one (1) dose of Varicella vaccine was required.
- Students entering 7th grade in 2015-2016 will be required to have had one (1) dose of a booster Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis/whooping cough) vaccine and one (1) dose of Meningococcal vaccine. These vaccine requirements were new for 7th graders for this school year. (The new immunization requirements must also be met by students entering 8th grade, most of whom already meet the new requirements.)
Wicomico County Public Schools is informing parents of current prekindergarten and sixth-grade students of the new vaccination requirements now to ensure families have ample time to take care of the required vaccinations prior to the start of the 2015-2016 school year. A letter about the immunization requirements went home with the 3rd marking period and year-end report cards for students in Prekindergarten and Grade 6.
The immunization chart with new requirements is posted on the school system’s website: (click HERE)
Parents/guardians are encouraged to check their child’s health record and schedule immunization appointments as needed to ensure the child meets the state requirements by the start of the 2015-2016 school year. Some health insurance plans offer an electronic copy of the immunization form that can be submitted to school staff, or an up-to-date immunization record may be requested from a doctor’s office. Parents are responsible for providing each school with their child’s updated vaccine record.
Parents/guardians should contact the child’s primary care provider to ask questions and to receive the new immunizations. The new immunizations are also available at no cost through the Wicomico County Health Department, which will support Wicomico County Public Schools and families with a walk-in health clinic on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. No cost for the new immunizations. All other immunizations offered through insurance, Medicaid, or nominal fee. Fritz Center, 300 W. Carroll St. Salisbury. Clinics will also be held from 8 a.m.-noon Sept. 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23, and from 5-7:30 Sept. 16 only. If unable to make one of these clinics, or to inquire about other immunizations, parents/guardians should call the Health Department at 410-543-6943.
Maryland immunization law states children must be excluded from school if they do not have up to date immunizations within 20 calendar days of admission to the school. Parents/guardians of students not yet meeting the new immunization requirements when the 2015-2016 school year begins must provide the school office with notice that the student has an appointment for immunization within 20 days. This notice may be a note from a doctor’s office or clinic, or a note or verbal notification from the parent/guardian with the date of the appointment within 20 calendar days. The appointment must be kept within that 20 days, and proof of immunization provided to the school for the student to continue attending.
1 comment:
You can still get an exemption. Its not mandatory.
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