Friday, December 11, 2009

For the 2009-2010 school year, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has increased the number of immunization requirements.

Many students have not had their immunizations updated. After January 4, students will be excluded from school if they are out of compliance until they receive the required immunizations.

School nurses have notified parents if their child is not in compliance. Parents are encouraged to set up an appointment with their family physician or the Sedgwick County Health Department to update their immunizations before the January 4 deadline.

New this school year, sixth- through ninth- grade students will need to have three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine, which was previously required for only kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Also new this year, incoming kindergarten students will need two doses of the varicella, or chicken pox, vaccine. Sixth- through ninth-grade students will be required to have at least one dose of the vaccine, which was previously required only through fifth-grade.

Students can be exempt if they have written documentation from a physician that there are medical reasons to exempt individual vaccinations. Students are also exempt if there is written documentation from a parent stating a student is of a religion whose teachings are opposed to immunizations.

More information about required immunizations can be found on the Wichita Public Schools' website at www.usd259.com/parents/health/immunizations.htm.