Kansas Department of Health And Environment
By Glenda Houdyshell
May 20, 2008
Date: February 2008
To: School Personnel Immunization Providers
From: Sue Bowden, Director, KDHE Immunization Program
Re: IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR
This communication is to clarify immunization requirements and recommendations for the 2008-2009 school year.
K.A.R. 28-1-20 defines immunizations required for school entry based on the 2003 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP): five doses required, with a 10 year booster dose of Td/Tdap
• Poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV): four doses required
• Measles, mumps, rubella: two doses required
• Hepatitis B: three doses required [*through grade 5]
• Varicella (chickenpox): one dose required [*through grade 5] unless proof of prior varicella disease is provided. Two doses are currently recommended by the ACIP for all ages
*The Hepatitis B and Varicella requirements for schools, as specified in K.A.R.28-1-20, are being phased in due to vaccine funding and availability considerations. Additional grades will be added each school year until students of all ages are included. Details of immunization requirements by age group are listed on the Feb. 2008 version of the Kansas Certificate of Immunization (KCI).
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/KCI_Form.pdf
In addition to the immunizations required for school entry listed above, the 2008 ACIP recommendations also include the following for school children:
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): four doses recommended for children less than 5 yrs of age; not required for school entry
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV7): four doses recommended for children less than 5 yrs of age; not
required for school entry
• Hepatitis A: two doses recommended for all ages; not required for school entry
• Meningococcal (MCV4): one dose recommended for 11-18 years of age; not required for school entry
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV): three doses recommended for females >11 years of age; not required for school entry
• Influenza: yearly vaccination recommended for all ages; not required for school entry
The complete ACIP recommendations can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm
All required/recommended vaccines can reduce the disease burden in school-aged children, helping to assure that students will be in school ready to learn. Completely immunized school aged children are vital in protecting other more vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of the diseases that immunizations can prevent. Efforts by schools have been central to the success of public health efforts in eliminating vaccine preventable diseases.
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
CURTIS STATE OFFICE BUILDING, 1000 SW JACKSON ST., STE. 540, TOPEKA, KS 66612-1368
Voice 785-296-5591 Fax 785-296-6510
