Immunizations
Immunizations
Washington State Immunization Law requires all students attending public schools, preschool - 12th grade, to provide proof of immunization, a medical exemption signed by a physician, or a personal/religious exemption signed by a parent or legal guardian before entering school. All students, regardless of age, are required to conform to the law prior to attending classes.
(July 1, 2011 - July 1, 2012 as per Washington State Department of Health)
Department of Health: Vaccinations required for schools (printable pdf)
Change in immunization requirements for incoming Kindergarten students
Varicella or Chicken Pox
Your student must receive a varicella vaccination or have had chicken pox before entering Kindergarten in 2006. This is in addition to the other required immunizations for school entry. If your child has had chicken pox, it is not necessary for them to receive the Varicella Vaccination. If your child has had chicken pox, the school will need to know the date they had the disease.
Required 5th grade vaccinations
Read Washington State's required vaccinations for 5th graders
Immunization information for current 5th grade students
The Department of Health wants you to be aware of three immunizations that directly affect your student prior to sixth grade:
MMR or Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Your student must receive a second MMR before entering sixth grade. You will need to notify your child's school after this is completed. If your student has already received this second MMR, please make certain that your child's school has the date of the second MMR on file.
Varicella or Chicken Pox
Your student must receive a Varicella Vaccination or have had chicken pox before entering sixth grade. You will need to notify your child's school after the vaccination has been given or notify the school of the date your child had chicken pox.
Meningococcal Disease/Vaccine
As of July 1, 2005 schools are required to provide meningococcal information beginning with sixth grade entry to students and parents in their community.
Meningococcal disease, commonly known as meningococcal meningitis, strikes up to 3,000 adolescents and adults in the US each year. Adolescents and young adults have an increased rate of contracting the disease compared to the general population, according for nearly 30 percent of all U.S. cases annually. According to one study, as many as one out of every four adolescents infected with the disease may die. Of those who survive, up to 20 percent suffer long-term disabilities, including brain damage, hearing loss, kidney disease and limb amputations.
The Department of Health wants you to be aware of meningococcal meningitis and the availability of a vaccine to protect against the disease. Vaccination can help protect against up to 83 percent of the meningococcal disease cases occurring among adolescents and young adults. Vaccination is NOT required for school attendance.
You are encouraged to learn more about meningococcal meningitis and prevention and speak to your child’s physician about immunization. In addition, you are urged to speak with your children about good hygiene and not sharing personal items that may help transmit the disease.