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PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that two new vaccines would be needed for children of school age for the 2019-2020 school year.
As of August 2, 2019, children will need to be vaccinated against meningococcus and hepatitis A.
KDHE proposed the amendments earlier this year and held a public hearing concluding a 60-day public comment period in June. The regulation has been approved by KDHE.
"We have received many comments and contributions from all points of view," said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman. "We listened and read all the contributions and concerns that were submitted to us.We looked at the evidence.Meningitis and hepatitis A are both serious and preventable, and the safety profile of vaccines As the body responsible for establishing policies that protect and improve the lives of Kansans, we felt that adding the two vaccines was essential to the health and safety of our state. "
Changes for the 2019-2020 school year
- Students entering kindergarten and first grade for the 2019-2020 school year now require two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine.
- Students entering 7th grade for the 2019-2020 school year need a dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
- Students entering grade 11 need a dose of the ACWY meningococcal vaccine if they are not vaccinated before their 16th birthday. They will need two doses if their first dose was before their 16th birthday.
Vaccines needed for schools are available online at: http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/schoolInfo.htm.
About KDHE vaccines
ACWY Meningococcal Vaccine
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease has two common consequences: meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord) and blood infections. The bacteria responsible for meningococcal disease spread through the exchange of droplets in the nose and throat, such as when it coughs, sneezes or kisses. Symptoms include the sudden onset of fever, headache and stiff neck. In case of blood infection, the symptoms also include a dark purple rash. About one in 10 people who contract the disease die from it. Survivors of meningococcal disease may lose their arms or legs, become deaf, have nervous system problems, become intellectually impaired or have seizures or stroke.
Vaccine against hepatitis A
The vaccine against hepatitis A protects against the hepatitis A virus. The virus is transmitted mainly from person to person by faecal-oral route. In other words, the virus is absorbed through the mouth when in contact with objects, food or drink contaminated by the stool of an infected person. Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, and sometimes jaundice (when skin and eyes turn yellow). An infected person may have no symptoms, may have mild illness for a week or two, severe illness for several months, or may rarely develop liver failure and die. In the United States, about 100 people die each year from hepatitis A.
Vaccine exemptions
There are exemptions to vaccines. In accordance with KSA 72-6262, legal alternatives to vaccination include medical contraindications and religious beliefs. Medical exemptions signed by a medical clinician must be submitted annually by the family / guardian of the student.
There may also be cases in which a person has a religious belief that prevents him from receiving a particular vaccine. The parent / guardian of the student must submit a written statement stating that he / she adheres to a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such vaccination. The school board or governing body of non-public schools is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations.
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