August 12, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (David Smollar) URGENT NOTICE ON NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS All entering seventh graders in San Diego City Schools must receive vaccination against hepatitis B and a second vaccination against measles or they will not be allowed to attend class when the school year begins Sept. 7. School nurses sent notices about the new state law to all parents of last year’s sixth grade students beginning in January and have conducted ongoing immunization clinics for pupils. But there is an unknown number of incoming seventh-grade students still needing the shots and they will be sent home on the first day of school under the "No Shots, No School" policy unless they provide evidence of immunization. Parents whose children have not yet received the immunizations are urged to call the City Schools Comprehensive Health office at (858) 627-7580 for specific information. They can obtain information on the nearest public health clinic offering the vaccinations by calling the County Department of Public Health at (619) 692-8661. The following general immunizations are required for children enrolling in any grade: polio, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. In addition, students entering kindergarten, the first grade if they did not attend kindergarten in California, and the seventh grade must show proof of vaccination against hepatitis B. There is a "No shots – No School" policy in effect for all children in the following categories: Kindergarten students (or first grade students entering school for the first time) who do not show evidence of all required immunizations. Seventh grade students who cannot show proof of the hepatitis B vaccination and a second MMR (measles, mumps and rubella). Students at day care centers, preschools, child development centers and nursery schools. All students transferring to City Schools from outside the United States. Students transferring to grades other than seventh in the City Schools from school districts within the United States have 30 days during which to provide proof of immunizations. Students must present a current immunization record that is signed or stamped by a physician or other medical professional showing that all currently required immunizations have been received. Otherwise, there must be on file a permanent medical exemption or personal beliefs exemption with the school. A parent signature verification of immunization dates is no longer acceptable under the law. Students who need immunizations may be referred to the San Diego County Department of Health Services, their private physician or the site school nurse. An "Immunization Consent Form" must be signed by a parent or guardian if a student is to be immunized at school. Forms are available at schools. Specific immunization requirements are: Poliomyelitis—four doses, but three are enough if at least one was given after the child’s second birthday. DTP/DtaP (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis)—four doses, with the fourth dose after two years of age for children six years of age and younger. For children ages seven years and older, pertussis is not required and only three doses are required if the last dose was given after the second birthday. MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)—One dose given after one year of age. A second dose of MMR is required by law for entering kindergarten students, for first grade students who have not previously attended kindergarten in California, and for students entering grade 7. Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b) is required of children under the age of four years, six months. Hepatitis B—three doses for entering kindergarten students, first grade students who have not previously attended kindergarten in California and students entering Grade 7.