Parents, add another shot to list

COLUMBUS - Some children can expect an extra prick of a needle before next school year begins.

The chicken pox vaccine has recently been added to the list of childhood immunizations required by the state. The requirement is effective July 1 and pertains to 2- to 5-year-olds enrolled in a school-based program not licensed as a child care provider, kindergartners and first-grade students entering school for the first time, students entering seventh grade and transfer students from outside the state entering any grade.

One dose of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine is required for children on or after 12 months of age and before their 13th birthday. Children older than 13 will receive two doses of varicella separated by at least one month.

The varicella vaccine has been available since 1995, and many Columbus children had already received it prior to this requirement, said Columbus Public Schools nurse Janelle Ryan.

Because of that, schools have already seen a drop in students who come down with the highly contagious disease.

"The numbers have really decreased," Ryan said.

Chicken pox is a viral infection that causes blister-like spots on the body and is usually accompanied by a fever. School age children ages 5-9 account for about half of all chicken pox cases.

Children who have already had chicken pox or had the vaccine must provide written verification from their health-care provider to the school.

Varicella is just one of many immunizations children are required to receive. Other required immunizations are to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza type b and hepatitis B.

Those vaccines are administered to children at various ages. The following is an updated list of vaccinations and ages at which children are required to receive them according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

- Children age 2-5: four doses of DTaP, DTP or DT vaccines, three doses of polio vaccine, one dose of MMR given on or after 12 months of age, three doses of Hib vaccine or one dose of Hib given at or after 15 months of age, three doses of hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of varicella given on or after 12 months of age.

- Students entering school for the first time (kindergarten or first grade), students entering seventh grade and transfer students from outside Nebraska: three doses of DTaP, DTP, DT or Td vaccine, one given on or after age 4, three doses of polio vaccine, two doses of MMR vaccine, given on or after 12 months of age and separated by at least one month, three doses of hepatitis B vaccine (or the 2004-05 school year this includes students in grades K-5, 7-11 and all out-of-state transfer students), and one dose of varicella given on or after 12 months of age and prior to 13 years of age. If over 13, two doses of varicella, separated by at least one month.

- All students not listed above are required to receive three doses of DTaP, DTP, DT or Td vaccine, three doses of polio vaccine and two doses of MMR vaccine.

Reach Julie Blum at 563-7535 or jblum@columbustelegram.com.