DHSS Press Release |
Date: August 21, 2003 DHSS-73-2003 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Karryl McManus, Deputy Secretary (302) 255-9047, Pager (302) 247-2116 |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VACCINATIONS REQUIRED FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOL
As children head back to school, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) encourages parents to check their children's immunization records to make sure they are up to date. Children who complete the recommended vaccination schedule will typically receive 20 vaccinations by two years of age. Such children meet school requirements and are protected against diphtheria, meningitis, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), measles, mumps, rubella, polio varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis.
The requirement for chickenpox is new this year. Specifically:
- In public schools, chickenpox vaccination is required to enter kindergarten.
- In private schools, chickenpox vaccination is required to enter all grades.
- In day care centers, chickenpox vaccination is required for children over 12 months of age.
For all requirements, immunization is not needed if families provide documentation that the child previously suffered from the disease and is therefore immune. Exemptions are also provided based on medical or religious reasons.
Immunizations have saved more lives and prevented more illness than any medical treatment. If a child is not vaccinated, the child's body may not be strong enough to fight the disease. Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent. These diseases still exist today, but vaccines now protect children, so we do not see these diseases as often. Immunizing children also helps to protect people who are not immunized (for example, those who are too young to be vaccinated, those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, and those who cannot make an adequate response to vaccination).
Most private insurance covers the cost of vaccines. Children who are uninsured can receive the vaccinations at no cost from their health care provider through DPH's Vaccines for Children program. Parents of children who have no private physician may call DPH's immunization program.
For more information on immunization requirements for school-aged children as well as recommended vaccines for every age, contact DPH's immunization program at (800) 282-8672.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
