New School Year, New Requirements

Wow! It is already August & school will be starting at the end of the month. August 28, to be exact. This will be my third year as a school nurse, I wonder what adventures await me this year?

One big challenge will be the massive paperwork with the new immunization requirements. I am dreading the non-compliant parents who won't send in the paperwork by the required deadline. Letters were sent in the spring by the superintendent, a note on report cards by the principal & a letter by the principal via snail mail. I think 3 notices are suffient, however this is only my opinion.

Here are the new requirements that will take place this school year. I have checked the Allegheny Health Department & PA Department of Health websites & the 2008-2009 immunizations are not listed at this time.

NEW SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REGULATIONS (phased in by 08/31/08)
All grades K-12
4 doses of tetanus (1 dose after the 4th birthday); 3 doses if series started after 7
years of age
4 doses of diphtheria (1 dose after the 4th birthday); 3 doses if series started
after 7 years of age
3 doses of polio
2 doses of measles
2 doses of mumps
1 dose of rubella
3 doses of hepatitis B
2 doses of varicella or written statement from physician/designee indicating
month and year of disease or serologic proof of immunity

Grades 7-12 (in addition to the above vaccines)
1 dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)
1 dose of meningitis vaccine (MCV4)