Changes in Immunization Records for District Students

The Kansas Department of Health and Education has made some changes to immunization requirements for students. Below are the requirements for any child who attends school, preschool, or a childcare program of any type. Religious exemptions, beginning in August 2009, will require a letter from a child's guardian.

The underlined text indicates changes in the immunization requirements beginning with the 2009-10 school year.

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP): five doses are required. Four doses are acceptable if dose four is given on or after a child's fourth birthday. Booster dose of Tdap is required at 11 years of age. Children older than 11 are required to receive Tdap when 10 years past their last DTaP dose.
• Poliomyelitis (IPV/OPV): four doses required. Three doses acceptable if the third dose is given on or after the fourth birthday.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella: two doses required.
• Hepatitis B: three doses required through ninth grade. (Had been required for Grades K through 5.)
• Varicella (chickenpox): two doses required for Kindergarten; one dose is required for students in Grades 1-9 (Had been required for Grades K through 5.) Also, beginning fall of 2009, new students reporting history of chickenpox, must have the history of disease verified by a licensed physician or the health department. Two doses are currently recommended for all ages.
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): three doses required for children less than 5 years of age in preschool or childcare operated by a school.
• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV7): four doses required for children less than 5 years of age in preschool or childcare operated by a school.
• Hepatitis A: two doses required for children less than 5 years of age in preschool or childcare operated by a school.