KDHE asks students to get vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis A – News – Kiowa County Signal – Kiowa County, KS

TOPEKA – Public school students will need to be vaccinated this year against meningitis and hepatitis A, the Kansas Ministry of Health and Environment announced Thursday.

Students entering kindergarten and first grade will need two doses of the vaccine against hepatitis A, the department said. Students entering Grade 7 need one dose of the ACWY meningococcal vaccine. Students entering their first year of high school will need the ACWY meningococcal vaccine if they are not vaccinated before their 16th birthday.

Exemptions are allowed for medical reasons or religious beliefs. The regulation will come into effect on August 2nd.

"We looked at the evidence," said KDHE Secretary Lee Norman. "Meningitis and hepatitis A are serious and preventable, and the safety profile of vaccines is well recognized.As the body responsible for establishing policies to protect and improve life Kansans, we felt that the addition of these two vaccines was essential for the health and safety of our state. "

The agency has proposed the new requirements earlier this year and has collected public comments. Norman said the agency listened to all concerns.

Meningitis can infect the bloodstream and membranes of the brain and spinal cord, leading to loss of limbs, developmental disorders, convulsions, deafness, or problems with the nervous system. The bacteria that causes the disease can spread by coughing, sneezing and kissing. One in ten will die of this disease, the agency said.

Hepatitis A spreads through feces and infections can lead to serious illness that can last for several months.