Immunization checks by the state...

intheweeds · Mar 1, 2011

I haven't been through an audit, but there was one last year before I started here. I don't know what it is like in your state, but I think the auditors' primary objective here was to get the kids vax'd--according to the files they sent out letters to the parents from the state. They did comb through all the records. Also, I think our state can fine schools a few thousand dollars, but I don't think this happened to us. I would talk to the principal immediately and get the kids out of school ASAP. It's amazing how fast the forms will come in! If the administration refuses to suspend kids I would document this. Good luck.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 1, 2011

well, if it make you feel any better, i'm in vaccination compliance hell right now too. I've got the town health nurse getting ready to come audit my records. Fortunately she knows the level of non compliance which i have down to about 130 right at the moment... it was 440

I already pushed off my state report once which i hated to do, but i'll be in better shape after this week as the exclusion deadline is approaching!

BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN · Mar 1, 2011

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. Do you have a Director of Health Services to talk to? I would let administration know that you are going to be audited and that you will show the auditor all the documentation you have regarding when letters when home, when phone calls were made, when you spoke to administration regarding the non-compliant students/parents and what your were told about it (ie they wouldn't remove them from the school setting).

mycsm · Mar 1, 2011

I was just audited 2 weeks ago. Just go through your records, start with a list of who is not in compliance and start making calls. Tell parents they have 2 weeks to comply. The state will give you time to get those in compliance.

Jolie, BSN · Mar 1, 2011

I've never experienced an audit. I doubt that our state has the manpower or funding to do so.

We are required to file a report by November 1 of each year self-reporting our compliance. On that report, we note the students in compliance with vaccines, students who have shown evidence of immunity by titres and/or documented disease, students with religious or medical exemptions (these require signed and notarized statements), and those who are out of compliance.

If a student is out of compliance, but cooperating with the school and medical provider to get "caught up", they are allowed to continue attendance. If a student is out of compliance, has no legitimate exemption, and is not attempting to catch up, they are to be excluded from school.

This exclusion comes from the building principal, not me. Some principals exclude, others do not. It is out of my hands, but I let them know that they will be required to answer to the state for these kids' continued attendance, and that the local health department can and will demand their exclusion from school if a case of disease for which they are not protected is reported.

In my opinion, it falls under the "Nothing More I Can Do" category. Not worth losing sleep over :)

Supernrse01, BSN · Mar 2, 2011

Thanks for your replies! Flare... I do feel for you! My number started at about 130 and I have now whittled it down to 10. I have spoken with the superintendent and he knows the situation. I have also discovered that there is no fine for the students who are non-compliant... so that makes me feel better!

Jolie- I do feel like I am now in the "nothing more I can do category" I'm just gonna roll wth the punches!

KLLB · Mar 7, 2011

Our state follows COMAR where you must have your immunization record in the Health Room by the 20th day of school. We have a form letter that is sent out and I have only pulled 1 student out in 7 years.

I have gone through an audit before and if the student is truely scheduled for shots, they mark them as "in process" and you are not cited.