"School in Session Part 1: Drive With Caution"
The weather might still be hot, but don’t let the high temperatures fool you, summer is over and it is back-to-school time. Public Health is reminding parents how important it is for their children to be up to date on all the necessary vaccinations. Vaccines are important not only for children who receive them but also for those who are not able to be vaccinated, such as newborns and individuals with compromised immune systems. It is because of vaccines that we no longer see diseases such as Polio and Diphtheria in the United States, and others such as measles and tetanus are rare.
“The more people who are vaccinated the better protected the community is as a whole, says Dr. Olivia Kasirye, Sacramento County Public Health Officer. “Public Health is encouraging everyone to stay up-to-date on vaccinations.”
If you have a child entering childcare, kindergarten or 7th grade, it is important to make sure that he or she is up-to-date on all the required vaccines. California schools are required to check immunization records for children entering childcare, Kindergarten, and upon advancement into 7th grade, and for students transferring from out-of-state at any age. Students admitted to Kindergarten between ages 4-6 years are required to have the following vaccines:
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or DT)
• Polio (OPV or IPV)
• Hepatitis B
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)Varicella (Chickenpox)
Parents must show their child’s immunization record as proof of above immunizations for a student entering into transitional kindergarten.
For students entering into the 7th grade, the required vaccines include:
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap)
• Measles – containing vaccine (MMR)
• Varicella (Chickenpox)
The school immunization law affects all students in public and private schools. Transfer students from out-of-state entering any grade level (K-12) in California may need additional immunizations to meet California requirements. Though valid medical exemptions are allowed, with the enactment of
Senate Bill 277 personal-belief and religious-belief exemptions are no longer permitted. Parents should call their child’s school for more detailed information about the new law.
