Immunizations

Farawyn · Sep 22, 2016

You are.

DO NOT get them involved.

Get the DOH involved.

iggywench, BSN, RN · Sep 22, 2016

We send out letters to students who are missing immunizations, giving them 10 days to comply. If they do not have them by the end of the 10 days, the students are withdrawn. I know that is impossible for you to enforce with that number of students, but it sounds like someone needs to step up and help you, whether it is your principal, the school district, or the state.

DEgalRN · Sep 22, 2016

Does your state have a central immunization electronic warehouse? My state does, and it's required that MDs enter all vaccinations into it (although not all do). It's very useful because while it does put a burden on me, I at least have some control over getting some of my missing shot records. I had to request access from my DPH. I use every avenue I can before turning to parents because they just don't like turning things in!

SnugglePuggle, MSN, RN · Sep 22, 2016

Some states, including my own, have a state-wide immunization database that is accessible by healthcare professionals, including school nurses. At the beginning of the year, I was able to find Tdap and Meningitis verification on many of the 150 7th graders who were "Overdue" in my electronic record. It stinks that I had to chase down the info instead of the parents just providing it, as requested multiple times the prior school year and over the summer, but at least I got them off my list!

grammy1 · Sep 22, 2016

If our 7th graders do not have them before school starts, they don't get their schedule and can't start school without it. There are a few exceptions (homeless, kids on a catch-up schedule), and they're usually given 30 days. I just excluded 2 students yesterday. They were new 30 days ago, notice given, and they never provided records. Amazing how this morning parents managed to get the shots before school.

We also have a state database that we can access to print out their shot records.

Supernrse01, BSN · Sep 22, 2016

Does your state have a central immunization electronic warehouse? My state does, and it's required that MDs enter all vaccinations into it (although not all do). It's very useful because while it does put a burden on me, I at least have some control over getting some of my missing shot records. I had to request access from my DPH. I use every avenue I can before turning to parents because they just don't like turning things in!

We do have one but the physicians' offices aren't required to use it, so it is a hit or miss for me with that one. I have used it to search for the missing records in both classes and have found several, but still not even close to what I should have.

Supernrse01, BSN · Sep 22, 2016

The letter I sent home today gave a deadline with the advice that if we do not have the documentation by that date, their student will no longer be allowed to attend classes. This is the first year I've been given the OK to enforce this so I'm sure my name is about to blasted all over the place :sarcastic:

Farawyn · Sep 22, 2016

The letter I sent home today gave a deadline with the advice that if we do not have the documentation by that date, their student will no longer be allowed to attend classes. This is the first year I've been given the OK to enforce this so I'm sure my name is about to blasted all over the place

Let them blast. It's their fault, not yours. Hold your ground on this.

KeeperOfTheIceRN, ADN · Sep 22, 2016

Oooooo, I feel your pain on this topic too. :rolleyes: Its amazing how many parents "didn't know" these immunizations were due even though letters were sent home at the end of the year last year, emails have been sent, letters have been re-mailed, and calls have been made. Its also amazing how fast they produce records when you give them a deadline and remind them their child will not be allowed to attend school after said deadline. Hopefully your administration will back you up with a deadline and a consequence for missing it.

kidzcare · Sep 22, 2016

The letter I sent home today gave a deadline with the advice that if we do not have the documentation by that date, their student will no longer be allowed to attend classes. This is the first year I've been given the OK to enforce this so I'm sure my name is about to blasted all over the place

I send those notes out passively. As in, I do not sign my name on them and keep them very generic. It has the students name and the immunizations that are missing but it's on a template and signed "School Health Services" Then when the parents call, upset about the letter, I say something like "Oh, yeah. I heard those letters went out. It is our policy, blah, blah" Usually if it appears that I am just the messenger then they are much nicer to me.

MrNurse(x2), ADN · Sep 22, 2016

I only have 25 to screen, but after 4 I realized no one has updated vac info. I sent a mass email to that group of parents making them aware it is due and I need updates.