The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 24, 2008

Law says all public, private school students must get vaccinated

By Bridget Nash Staff Writer

The term “back to school” can be associated with many things — school supplies, new shoes, homework, sports and for those with trypanophobia, vaccinations.

But even the fear of injections is no excuse, because Oklahoma state law requires all public and private school students to be up-to-date on their immunizations to attend school.

“It’s a nice thing to be able to remind people because we have plenty of children who have not updated their immunizations,” said Joan McIntyre, RN, BSN, NCSN, supervisor of health services for Enid Public Schools.

According to Emily Burton, Garfield County Health Department immunization field consultant, the county has 81 percent compliance with immunization laws for children ages 0 to 35 months.

“We’re doing a lot better than we were before,” said Burton.

According to Burton, Garfield County had only 52 percent of children in compliance with immunization requirements in 2002 .

Statewide in the 2006-2007 school year kindergarten students were in the 98th percentile with immunization re-quirements.

“By state law they’re not supposed to be in school without their shots,” said McIntyre.

From the start of school, Enid school health officials peruse the records of the students to make sure they are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

“When we find children that need immunizations we send a letter home to the parents,” said McIntyre. “We encourage the parent to take the child to the health department or to their physician.”

Garfield County Health Department will administer children’s immunizations for free. Immunizations required by state law include diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP/DTaP), poliomyelitis, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, hepatitis A and varicella (chickenpox).

The health department will provide the vaccinations for free for students up to 18 years and 11 months of age.

According to Oklahoma State Depart-ment of Health, parents must present the school with a record of the required vaccinations, a record showing the student is in the process of receiving the required vaccinations, documentation showing the student is immune from having the disease or diseases or an official exemption.

“I think it’s important for the parents to understand that we have to comply with the state laws,” said McIntyre. “But the bottom line is we want the children to be healthy.”

Parents who have any questions or concerns or who would like to know what immunizations are on their child’s school record may call their child’s school nurse or McIntyre at 234-5270.

Garfield County Health Department is open to walk-ins Monday through Thursday from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m.

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