|
|
|
| You are here: DOH Home » News Releases Home » 06-102 |
For immediate release: July 6, 2006 (06-102)
Contacts:
Michele Perrin, Immunization
Program CHILD Profile 360-236-3720
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
New chickenpox school and child care immunization requirements in effect
OLYMPIA ¾ Children in Washington are now required to be immunized against chickenpox (varicella) before entering child care and school. The new requirement, which went into effect July 1, means kids entering kindergarten and sixth grade must get the chickenpox vaccine or document that they’ve had the disease. Children from 19 months to kindergarten-age who attend licensed child care or preschool must also be vaccinated. The chickenpox vaccine has been available in Washington for 10 years, yet many children still haven’t been immunized.
"This is a positive step in ensuring the health and well-being of Washington children," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "This vaccine is an effective prevention tool against chickenpox. Getting vaccinated will help protect children and adults from complications of this very contagious disease."
Chickenpox spreads easily and can be a serious illness at any age. Complications can include skin infections, pneumonia, and brain swelling that may require hospitalization and can be fatal. Immunizing young children against the disease also helps protect them as they get older — when serious illness is more likely.
Washington’s CHILD Profile Immunization Registry can help parents and providers ensure that children meet the new chickenpox immunization requirement. Providers who use the Immunization Registry can track each patient’s immunizations and record whether a patient has had chickenpox disease, saving time and ensuring every patient is up-to-date on all immunizations. Providers can provide parents with copies of the necessary school and child care immunization forms that document vaccination or history of having chickenpox. Parents need these forms when enrolling children in school and child care; they should request these forms at least a month ahead of time.
Also starting this month, two new vaccines are available through Washington’s Universal Vaccine Program. The program uses state and federal funding to purchase recommended vaccines for children up to the nineteenth birthday.
One of the vaccines, known as Tdap, protects against pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, and diphtheria. It’s the first vaccine to protect teenagers and adults from pertussis; young children receive a pertussis vaccine, but protection only lasts 5–10 years. Pertussis isn’t usually life-threatening for teens and adults, but they can spread it to babies who are not protected and are most at risk for severe complications.
The second vaccine protects against four kinds of meningococcal disease. It’s especially important for college freshmen who’ll be living in dorms and people with weak immune systems to get immunized. Because of a current, ongoing shortage, it will only be available to people at increased risk of getting the disease.
Parents are urged to use their regular health care providers for all childhood immunizations. For help finding a health care provider or an immunization clinic, call your local health agency or parents can call the Within Reach (www.withinreachwa.org/) Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
More information on all childhood immunizations is available on the Department of Health Immunization Program Web site (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize), and on the CHILD Profile Immunization Registry Web site (www.childprofile.org/).
###
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information
 |
Contact Information for the Department of Health Last
Update :
03/05/2009 08:40 PM
|