Changes to Child Care and School Immunization Requirements Effective Jan. 1st.
The ND Dept. of Health reports that changes to the North Dakota Administrative Rule 33-06-05 for child care and school immunizations will go into effect starting January 1st.
Following is a summary of the changes:
Hepatitis B vaccine is now required for child care entry.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) is now required for children moving into the state, or who missed the seventh grade requirement, additional grades were added. In addition, starting with the 2018 – 2019 school year, a dose of Tdap is required for eighth through twelfth grade, if missed at seventh grade.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) is now required for children moving into the state or who missed the seventh grade requirement. In addition, starting with the 2018 – 2019 school year, one dose of MCV4 is required for eighth through tenth grade. MCV4 is a two-dose series, with the second dose recommended at age 16, therefore, with the change, children are required to receive a second dose of MCV4 before being admitted to eleventh and twelfth grades.
History of disease exemptions were added for all diseases that could potentially have an applicable history of disease, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, or rubella. Previously, history of disease exemptions were only allowed for varicella (chickenpox). A physician signature is required for a history of disease exemption. Previously, a parent could provide a signature for a history of disease exemption.
The time period for when schools are required to exclude children who are not up-to-date or who haven’t submitted a record was changed from 30 days after enrollment to October 1st or 30 days after enrollment if enrolling after October 1st.
