3 Aug 2005
Records Show Low Number of Elementary WHISD Students Have Required Immunizations
DALLAS—Wilmer-Hutchins elementary students slated to begin school in Dallas Independent School District campuses August 15, have less than 12 days to receive the state-required immunizations in order to attend school, and records show many WHISD students are not in compliance, DISD officials announced Wednesday.
In order to meet the needs of WHISD students who do not have required immunizations, parents in WHISD have the option to attend the city of Dallas' Mayor's Annual Back To School Fair pre-registration Saturday, Aug. 6, 2005 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Fair Park Automobile Building. This will make attendance at the annual back to school fair on Aug. 11, quicker and more efficient. Parents who take part in the pre-registration need to bring identification, proof of residency in WHISD, and proof of income statement.
Parents also may visit their personal physician or health clinics throughout the area. All immunization records must be validated by a physician's signature or health clinic stamp. The month, day and year must be indicated on the record for each new immunization.
"We have conducted a review of the health records associated with the students who will be attending DISD schools from Wilmer-Hutchins and it appears at this time that many Wilmer-Hutchins students do not have the required immunizations," said Rosemarie Allen, DISD's associate
superintendent for Student Services. "There still is ample time for parents to have their children immunized, and we've made arrangements with the city to include WHISD students in our back to school fair with the city. Youngsters who do not have the proper immunizations are not permitted to attend school until they are in compliance."
The message is the same for all students, regardless of whether they're coming from WHISD or not. But Allen expressed an urgency that WHISD parents need for their children to be in compliance before the beginning of the school year.
"We have been working around the clock to have student records and information ready for all students from WHISD to attend our 25 campuses," Allen said. "Parents can assist their children greatly with this transition if they ensure this important task is completed before their children head off to school. It'll be preventative medicine for their children's health, but also one less distraction for young people who are going to be making adjustments to new schools, new teachers and new friends."
Children attending child-care facilities, including Head Start and pre-kindergarten, will need to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and pneumococcal disease for the first time this fall. Designed to prevent childhood diseases, the immunization requirements for the 2005-2006 school year include:
Diphtheria-Tetanus—Students under age seven, five doses of the vaccine unless the fourth dose was given on or after the fourth birthday. For students age seven and older: three doses of the vaccine with one dose since the fourth birthday and every 10 years thereafter.
Poliomyelitis-Four doses of the vaccine unless the third dose was on or after the fourth birthday.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)-Two doses with the first one on or after the first birthday; second dose by age five or enrollment into kindergarten.
Haemophilus Influenza (Hib) Type B-For students 15 months of age through four years, one dose of Haemophilus Influenza type B conjugate since 15 months of age, or a series of three doses before 15 months of age.
Hepatitis B-Three doses are required in grades PreK-11.
Varicella-One dose on or after first birthday in grades PreK-5 and 7-11 grades. Two doses if vaccine is started at 13 years of age or older.
Pneumococcal- One dose after 24 months of age or a minimum of three doses with one after 12 months of age.
Hepatitis A- Two doses required for students age 24 months through pre-kindergarten. Kindergarten through 12th grade, two doses recommended, but not required.
Exemptions:
Exemption from immunization requirements may be granted for medical or religious reasons. A new state law also allows parents to claim conscientious objection when requesting a waiver from immunizations for their children. Parents must ask the Texas Department of State Health Services in writing for the waiver and provide the original, notarized form to the school nurse or campus administrator before the child can be enrolled in school.
For more information regarding immunizations and free immunization clinics scheduled, check with the local school nurse.
A 30-day provisional enrollment is available to the following student groups.
Students transferring from one Texas school to another Texas school.
Homeless students: students who are defined as homeless according to the federal McKinney-Ventro Act 42 U.S.C. Section 111434a.
More information about the WHISD transition of students to DISD schools can be found on the district's Web site: www.dallasisd.org/whisd, or by calling 972-925-5555.