FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2005
For additional information contact:
Amy Morris, Community Relations Coordinator
616.632.7110
MICHIGAN LAW REQUIRES SCHOOL KIDS OF ALL AGES TO BE IMMUNIZED
(Grand Rapids, MI) -- The Kent County Health Department reminds parents to be sure that their children have received all required school immunizations. Michigan law requires that all children entering school be fully immunized.
Childhood immunization continues to be one of the most successful and cost-effective means of preventing morbidity and mortality in children. Although 80% of childhood immunizations are given in the first two years of a child’s life, a final set of shots given between age four and five, prior to school entry, completes the routine infant-childhood immunization series. The required immunizations are: hepatitis B (hep B), diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), polio, haemophilus influenza type b (Hib), measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), and varicella (chickenpox).
Preadolescent children entering sixth grade may also need immunizations including a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster, meningococcal and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations if they have not received a second MMR as a child. Sixth-graders are required to be vaccinated for hepatitis B if they have not completed that immunization series, as well as for varicella (chickenpox) if they have not yet been vaccinated or have not had chickenpox. Additionally, several universities and colleges are now recommending or requiring meningococcal vaccinations for their students, especially college freshman living in dormitories.
While many school districts will enroll children who have not been fully immunized and allow them to attend classes, these children may eventually face being excluded from school if their immunizations are not brought up to date in accordance with Michigan Law. Parents are encouraged to call the children’s school for more information about their school’s or district’s policy regarding immunizations.
The Kent County Health Department provides all required childhood and school entry immunizations. Routine immunizations are free to those who qualify with vaccine administration fees calculated on a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. All others pay a single fee which includes the vaccine administration fee. No appointment is necessary.
For more information about school entry immunizations, the childhood immunization schedule, or Kent County Health Department’s location and hours, visit www.accesskent.com/health
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The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) has been in the business of providing health services to the whole of Kent County since 1931. It is made up of four divisions: Administration, Community Clinical Services, Community Nursing and Environmental Health. The Health Department is home to nearly 325 employees including public health nurses, sanitarians, health educators, technicians, public health administrators and the Kent County Animal Shelter. KCHD operates five satellite clinics located in Wyoming, Kentwood, Rockford, Sheldon Complex, and the Westside of Grand Rapids. To learn more about our services visit www.accesskent.com/health
