Immunizations

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

Our district requires immunizations to be up to date before entry into K and 7th grade. The nurses work diligently with the families in attempt to direct them in the immunizations needed. The district implemented a policy that kids would be excluded if they weren't UTD. Some of the principals are still allowing kids in because they feel the parents are doing their best to get everything done and need a break or that the parent stated they have an appt to get things taken care of within the month, but there's no proof of appt nor once the child is in school do the parents f/u with the immunizations.

Our direct supervisor then wants the nurses to make phone calls and send letters. This has become a weekly thing with some parents, some parent letters come back b/c the address isn't correct and many have incorrect phone #s on file. Yet our supervisor (who is non-medical) wants us to continue to waste our time sending letters and making phone calls.

HELP! ?

What do other districts do about incomplete vaccine records and non-compliant parents?

[kidzcare]

Does your state not have immunization requirements and a predetermined exclusion day?

In Illinois, the immunization requirements are listed on the Illinois Department of Health website and can be easily provided to parents and the exclusion date is October 15 each year. Any student who does not have the required immunizations (or a medical or religious exemption from immunizations) on file cannot attend school until it is on file.

[OldDude]

Until you have an administrator that will inform the parent the student is being withdrawn, or unable to enroll, until the immunizations are up to date you'll continue to play the game you are playing...phone calls, letters, emails, box of chocolates with a "pretty please" note, etc.

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

We provide a 30 day grace period to families so that they can get the immunizations done. If it's not done after 30 days, the kid's out until it is.

Occasionally, some of our clinics get so busy that a parent is only able to call and schedule an appointment, and then the appointment happens after the 30 day mark. If that's the case, I need proof of the appointment date, and if nothing gets done by that date, the kid's out of school until it's taken care of.

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

45 minutes ago, OldDude said:

Until you have an administrator that will inform the parent the student is being withdrawn, or unable to enroll, until the immunizations are up to date you'll continue to play the game you are playing...phone calls, letters, emails, box of chocolates with a "pretty please" note, etc.

OldDude, you hit it on the head and I thought that would probably be the bottom line. We can't enforce anything that the powers-that-be will not back us up on. ?

[AdobeRN]

Admin will be singing a different tune when the district/campus is on the news due to Pertussis, Measles etc etc issue. I really think that the recent news events of these issues is what pushed our high up administration peeps to finally instruct the campus principals/AP to back us up regarding immunization requirements.

In Texas - you basically can't start school unless you are UTD or have the Affidavit on file - makes my job so much easier now that I finally have the principal support to enforce the requirement.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, Ree250k said:

Some of the principals are still allowing kids in because they feel the parents are doing their best to get everything done and need a break or that the parent stated they have an appt to get things taken care of within the month, but there's no proof of appt nor once the child is in school do the parents f/u with the immunizations.

In Texas that's against the law. What does your state law dictate?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

16 minutes ago, AdobeRN said:

In Texas - you basically can't start school unless you are UTD or have the Affidavit on file - makes my job so much easier now that I finally have the principal support to enforce the requirement.

HA!! Great minds...

[Glitternurse, LVN]

Here in California there are only medical exemption, so if a child isn't UTD or have a signed medical exemption on file they are excluded, period. In our district if there is an appointment we allow them them to attend conditionally, but if the immunization record isn't presented the day following the appointment, the child is excluded, even if there is another appointment because we aren't playing that game.

[jess11RN]

22 minutes ago, Glitternurse said:

Here in California there are only medical exemption, so if a child isn't UTD or have a signed medical exemption on file they are excluded, period. In our district if there is an appointment we allow them them to attend conditionally, but if the immunization record isn't presented the day following the appointment, the child is excluded, even if there is another appointment because we aren't playing that game.

In Illinois, we can't even take appointment cards (unless the student is on a catch up schedule). It is THE BEST rule that was ever implemented. It's black and white and ZERO wiggle room for games.

[EnoughWithTheIce]

On 3/1/2019 at 1:28 PM, AdobeRN said:

Admin will be singing a different tune when the district/campus is on the news due to Pertussis, Measles etc etc issue. I really think that the recent news events of these issues is what pushed our high up administration peeps to finally instruct the campus principals/AP to back us up regarding immunization requirements.

In Texas - you basically can't start school unless you are UTD or have the Affidavit on file - makes my job so much easier now that I finally have the principal support to enforce the requirement.

Love it, if it takes a little fear to get the wheels moving in the right direction - we will take it!

[tining, BSN, RN]

Exclusion Date - here is my letter:

October 12, 2018

Dear Parent/Guardian - Estimado Padre / Tutor:

---

NO SHOTS = NO SCHOOL ON October 22, 2018.

NO SHOTS = NO HAY ESCUELA EL 22 de Octubre de 2018.

Our immunization record for your child indicates that your child is NOT fully immunized according to the state requirements. Nuestro registro de vacunación para su hijo indica que su hijo NO está completamente inmunizado de acuerdo con los requisitos estatales.

If your child has already received these immunizations, you must provide the school with a copy of the record. This includes required proof for any requested exemption. Si su hijo ya recibió estas vacunas, debe proporcionar a la escuela una copia del registro. Esto incluye la prueba requerida para cualquier exención solicitada

The attached letter shows the immunizations that are due. La carta adjunta muestra las vacunas que se deben.

If the school does not receive an up-to-date record by

October 22, 2018, your child will NOT be allowed to attend class.

SI LA ESCUELA NO RECIBE UN REGISTRO ACTUALIZADO POR

22 de octubre de 2018, SU HIJO NO SERÁ PERMITIDO PARA ASISTIR A CLASE.

Days missed for not taking care of this matter will be unexcused. These unexcused absences may result in a loss of credit. Los días perdidos por no ocuporifice de este asunto serán injustificados. Estas ausencias injustificadas pueden resultar en una pérdida de crédito.

Immunization exemption for reasons of conscience or religious belief requires proof documents officially processed by the Texas Department of Health in Austin, Texas. Written requests must be sent to: DSHS Immunization Branch Mail Code 1946, P.O. box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347. You may also call 1-800-252-9152 or visit the DSHS website at www.ImmunizeTexas.com. Completed affidavits must be presented to the school within 90 days after they are notarized; otherwise they become void

La exención de inmunización por razones de conciencia o creencias religiosas requiere documentos de prueba procesados oficialmente por el Departamento de Salud de Texas en Austin, Texas. Las solicitudes por escrito deben enviorifice a: DSHS Immunization Branch Mail Code 1946, P.O. caja 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347. También puede llamar al 1-800-252-9152 o visitar el sitio web de DSHS en www.ImmunizeTexas.com. Las declaraciones juradas completadas deben presentorifice a la escuela dentro de los 90 días posteriores a su certificación notarial; de lo contrario se vuelven vacíon.