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Make sure your child has proper immunization |
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Wednesday, 20 August 2008 |
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
School is right around the corner and while that means shopping for clothes and school supplies, it also means having proper shot records for young students.
Immunization records for school entry can be confusing.
However, Cynthia Grubb, RN of the Pondera County Health Department offers some helpful guidelines to help parents wade through immunization law requirements for Montana schools.
For entry into school, a young student must have three doses of polio vaccine and at least one dose after their fourth birthday.
The primary series of polio vaccine (OPV or IPV) consists of three doses given at least four weeks apart.
A student needs four doses of Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT).
Pupil seven years of age or older needs at least three doses of DPT vaccine given as any combination of DTP, DTaP, DT, to Td. Pertussis vaccine is not required for students who are seven years of age or older.
Prior to entering the seventh grade, a student must receive a dose of tetanus-diptheria (Td.) This applies to pupils who have completed the prior four doses listed above.
For Measles, mumps or rubella (MMR), there should be one dose on or after the first birthday and a second dose prior to Grade K entry.
A student entering any grade from 7-12 who has not already received the two required doses at grade K, must receive the second dose.
All the immunization records should be recorded on the “Blue form” and must show the month, day and year of shots.
If a child has not completed the minimum vaccination series required by Montana law, they may still receive a conditional attedance form (HES 103-B) have it completed and attached to the Blue form.
If a student fails to complete the immunization within the time period indicated, they need to qualify for and claim an exemption or be excluded immediately from school by the school administrator.
School law allows for exemptions for medical reasons.
For this, parents need to have the back of the Blue form completed and signed by a physician.
Contact Grubb at the County Health Department, 271-3217 for more information or to arrange for shots.
A student may also gain an exemption on religious grounds. Such a claim has to be notarized each year on an affidavit provided by the health department.
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