VARICELLA VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
August 16, 2007
ATTENTION: PARENTS OF KINDERGARTEN AND 1ST GRADERS IN THE SEAMAN USD #345 SCHOOL DISTRICT:
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KDHE ADVISES VARICELLA VACCINATION REQUIREMENT IS ONE DOSE FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR (2007-2008) |
What does this mean? In a memo to Kansas school nurses in January of 2007, Kansas Department of Health & Environment notified school districts that two doses of the Varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine, which provides increased immunity to chickenpox, would become mandatory for Kindergarten and 1st grade students attending Kansas schools for the 2007-2008 school year.
On August 15th, 2007, Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) announced that contrary to information that was provided to schools earlier this year, Kansas students will not berequired to receive two doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine prior to enrolling for the 2007-2008 school year. Although it is still highly recommended that all children receive two doses of the Varicella vaccination, a recent audit of the current regulations conducted by KDHE, revealed that only one dose is actually required for school attendance this school year, therefore the current one dose Varicella requirement is still mandated, so if your child has had one dose of Varicella vaccine they meet this current mandate.
New regulations are in the process of being approved that will require the second dose of Varicella vaccine, but will not be approved prior to the start of classes this year. Therefore, if your child has received the 2nd Varicella vaccine, or has an appointment to receive this vaccine it is highly recommended that you keep that appointment, as if this regulation is reinstated for the 2008-2009 school year, then your child will be current.
If you have any questions or concerns about the Varicella requirement, please contact your school nurse.
