Special to the Leader & Times
Immunization requirements and recommendations for the 2024-2025 school year are based on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. The current recommended and minimum interval immunization schedules may be found on the CDC Web site.
The best disease prevention is achieved by adhering to the recommended schedule. However, if a child falls behind, the catch-up schedule is implemented. To avoid missed opportunities, immunization providers may use a four-day grace period, in most instances, per age and interval between doses. In such cases, these doses may be counted as valid.
K.S.A. 72 – 6261 – Kansas Statutes Related to School Immunizations Requirements and K.A.R. 28-1-20, published July,18, 2019 in the Kansas Register, defines the immunizations required for school and early childhood program attendance.
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Five doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The fourth dose may be given as early as 12 months of age, if at least six months have elapsed since dose three. The fifth dose is not necessary if the fourth dose was administered at age 4 years or older. A dose of Tdap is required at entry to 7th grade (11-12 years).
• Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12-23 months with a minimum interval of six months between the first and second dose.
• Hepatitis B (Hep B): Three doses required. Doses should be given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. Minimum age for the final dose is 24 weeks.
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). Minimum age is 12 months and interval between doses may be as short as 28 days.
• Meningococcal-Serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY): Two doses required. Doses should be given at entry to 7th grade (11-12 years) and 11th grade (16-18 years). For children 16-18 years, with no previous MenACWY, only one dose is required.
• Poliomyelitis(IPV/tOPV): Four doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). Three doses are acceptable if third dose was given after 4 years of age and at least six months have elapsed since dose two.
• Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses are required. Doses should be given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The second dose may be administered as early as three months after the first dose; however, a dose administered after a four-week interval is considered valid. No doses are required when student has history of varicella disease documented by a licensed physician.
Legal alternatives to school vaccination requirements are found in K.S.A. 72-6262.
In addition, to the immunizations required for school entry the following vaccines are recommended to protect students:
• Human Papillomavirus(HPV): Two doses recommended at 11 years of age or three doses if the series is started after 15 years.
• Influenza and COVID-19: Annual vaccination recommended for all ages younger than 6 months of age.
Vaccination efforts by school and public health officials, immunization providers, and parents are key to the success of protecting our children and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
