Health Officials Issue 'Back-To-School Shots' Reminder For Napa Co. Parents

NAPA COUNTY, CA – Napa County Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Relucio is reminding parents to ensure their children’s vaccinations required for school are up to date.

"As summer comes to an end, we want to remind parents to get their children any necessary vaccines so they don’t miss out on the first days of school.” said Relucio. “Talk to your healthcare provider to verify their vaccines are up to date and ensure you have proper documentation.”

Parents of children without health insurance, with MediCal or are Native American or Alaskan Native can call the Napa County Public Health Immunization Clinic at (707) 253-4270 to make an appointment for vaccinations.

This is the beginning of the first school year with the new California law SB277 that changes which students will be allowed to attend school without vaccinations.

Students with a medical exemption written by their doctor may attend school without vaccinations.

Students with personal or religious exemptions will no longer be accepted.

Students who are not vaccinated (and do not have a medical exemption) will not be allowed to attend school.

Parents must make alternate school plans if their child does not have a medial exemption against vaccination and they do not want him/her to be vaccinated.

In 2016, what are the changes to the immunization requirements for children entering child care or school?

Starting January 1, 2016:

• Parents or guardians of students in any school or child-care facility, whether public or private, will no longer be allowed to submit a personal beliefs exemption to a currently-required vaccine.
• Students will no longer be required to have immunizations for entry if they attend a home-based private school or an independent study program and do not receive classroom-based instruction.
• Students who have an individualized education program (IEP) should continue to receive all necessary services identified in their IEP regardless of their vaccination status. However, parents or guardians must continue to provide immunization records for these students to their schools, and schools must continue to maintain and report records of immunizations that have been received for these students.

Which facilities are affected by the new law in 2016 and future years?

Whether public or private, all California schools and child-care facilities, including child-care centers, day nurseries, nursery schools, family day care homes, and development centers, are subject to new and existing laws in California.

In 2015 and future years, which vaccines are required to enter child care or school in California?

• For child care, see http://www.shotsforschool.org/child-care/
• For kindergarten, see http://www.shotsforschool.org/k-12/
• For 7th grade, see http://www.shotsforschool.org/7th-grade/
• For students entering or transferring into California schools at other grade levels, seehttp://www.shotsforschool.org/k-12/

Also see:

• Do You Know What Today Is? It's National S'More Day!
• 5 Back-to-School Tips to Keep Your Napa Valley Kids Safe

--Info courtesy of Napa County and California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch/Patch file image