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ATTENTION: PARENTS OF ALL STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 6-12
SCHOOL YEAR 2010-2011
Immunization requirements for school attendance in 2010-2011 have changed.
In addition to the previously required immunizations, students entering grades 6-12 must have appropriate documentation of the following vaccines:
- Tetanus, diphtheria acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap);
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4-Menactra);
- 2 varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccinations appropriately spaced per CDC guidelines, or documentation of disease history, or laboratory evidence of immunity.
Adequate documentation includes: a physician’s written record, immunization data from another school corporation, or immunization data recorded in the Indiana Immunization Registry (CHIRP), or printed record from another state registry. This documentation must include the month, day, and year of each dose of vaccine administered. Documentation for varicella disease history can be a parent’s written statement that contains date of disease, parent signature, and date of signature.
According to Indiana Code (IC 20-34-4-5), students who do not provide up to date immunization documentation may enroll in school but cannot attend beyond the first day of school.
Call your school nurse for more information.
8/16/2010 Immunization News Release
Madison Co. Health Department (Anderson): The Madison County Health Department is serving an average of 75 or more children during their two and three-hour walk-in immunization clinics. According to Dixie Cummings, Madison County Health Department Nursing Supervisor, “This number is beginning to exceed the safety threshold in terms of how many shots the nursing staff can administer during any one clinic.” Due to the variety of shots, the varying dosages, recordkeeping, and documentation required for each child, vaccinating children has become more complicated than many realize.
With limited staff and office space and the increased caseload brought on by Indiana’s new vaccine requirements for 6th – 12th grade students, the clinics have become overwhelming for all involved. While the newest immunization requirements for 6th-12th grade students do pose a strict deadline, it is …”the safety of the children and staff that must be our first priority”, says Ms. Cummings. In order to maintain an orderly clinic and avoid a serious error in safety, the Madison County Health Department must set a limit to the amount of children immunized during each clinic. Therefore a numbering system will be put into place as soon as (tomorrow) Tuesday, 8/17/2010, which will limit the Tuesday and Thursday 9am – 12pm clinics to serving only the first 50 children per each clinic. The bi-monthly evening clinics held on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 4:30pm- 6:30 pm, will begin seeing only the first 30 children per clinic, starting as soon as Wednesday, August 18th. The Health Department regrets having to set these limits as it is the mission of the department to ensure all Madison County residents have access to services supporting the health and well-being of their families. To that same end, we want to ensure that our clients are receiving their injections in a safe, organized, healthy environment.
The Madison County Health Department recognizes the urgency and importance of meeting the school deadlines and it will continue to immunize as many children as possible. However, the agency cannot sacrifice safe medical protocols during its immunization clinic. The health department apologizes for any inconveniences and encourages families to seek out other medical providers for their immunizations if they are unable to access the health department clinics.
7/27/2010 West Nile Virus News Release
Madison County, IN. The Madison County Health Department wants to remind the public of the importance of preventing mosquito bites whenever possible. According to Steve Ford, Health Administrator for the Madison County Health Department, “There is a huge population of Culex mosquitoes (which can carry West Nile and other diseases) being collected in Madison County. Literally thousands of this species are being captured in just one evening during our regular collections.” While Madison County has yet to report its first case of West Nile, the virus has been reported in other nearby counties. https://isdhmaps.isdh.in.gov/apps/pubstat/WNVStat.htm
Mosquito Prevention Tips
Mosquitoes lay eggs in still water, which hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place...and with fewer mosquitoes, you can have more fun in your yard and throughout Indiana! Here are some things you can do:
• Remove standing water in ponds, ditches, clogged rain gutters, flower pots, plant saucers, puddles, buckets, garden equipment and cans.
• Check for items that might hold water including barbecues, toys, pool covers, tarps, plastic sheeting, boats, canoes and trash.
• Avoid mosquitoes by staying indoors at dawn and dusk when the bugs are most active.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants while outdoors.
• Apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Use only 10% DEET on children, and make sure everyone washes their hands well so that they do not get any chemicals in their eyes or mouth. Follow directions carefully.
Learn more about DEET, http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/chemicals/deet.htm
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Don't stop enjoying outdoor activities. Just learn some simple yet effective prevention measures to reduce your risks, even if you're only in your own backyard.
People hiking, camping, hunting and fishing need to take special precautions, especially when around mosquito breeding areas. Be prepared with insect repellent, protective clothing, mosquito netting and the shelter of your car or tent.
Common questions and answers (CDC) , http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/q&a.htm
CDC Public Service Announcements
"Tell Mosquitoes to Buzz Off:" A Public Service Announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Watch a public service announcement (PSA) that shows people how to prevent West Nile virus and explains what the risk of the disease is, in just seconds.
West Nile virus PSA in English RealPlayer video (33 sec.)
West Nile virus PSA in Spanish RealPlayer video (33 sec.)
You must have RealOne Player to view the PSAs.
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