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Source: http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/sch...nts_sixth.html
More than 1,000 county sixth-graders face possible suspension
New state immunization rule deadline is Sept. 23
September 16, 2008 - 6:04PM
More than a thousand sixth-grade students in the Alamance-Burlington School System have less than a week to get a booster shot or show proof they've been immunized against whooping cough.
If they don't, they will be suspended from school.
A new state law requires that all sixth-graders who entered school after Aug. 1 are required to get a Tdap -tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis - booster shot if five years or more have passed since the last dose of the tetanus/diphtheria toxoid. The same rule applies for 12-year-olds who attend school at home or private school
Students have until Sept. 23 to provide proof of the immunization to their school nurse.
"We don't want to see large numbers of people excluded or suspended," said Lucy Kernodle, the lead school nurse for the Alamance-Burlington School System. "Our goal is to keep students in school learning."
[B]There are about 1,788 sixth-grade students in the Alamance-Burlington School System. Based on information provided to Kernodle from middle school nurses last Friday, there were still 1,021 students who haven't been immunized or haven't provided proof of immunization.[/B]
It's causing some concern.
"One of the problems is a sixth-grade parent is not used to having to deal with this," Kernodle said. "They are not thinking about this being a possibility. It's a brand new rule, and it is going to happen. We have to comply with state immunization laws."
The new immunization law went into effect Jan. 1. Last spring, the school system and the Alamance County Health Department launched campaigns to educate parents of fifth-graders about the change. Fliers were sent home, calls were made to parents and an article was in the Times-News. Physician offices were notified and the health department started offering the shot. A similar effort was made at the start of this school year.
Whooping cough can be a problem for adolescents. It causes severe coughing, vomiting, disturbed sleep and weight loss. It also can cause inflammation in a baby's airway, which could close it and lead to death.
Part of the reason teens and adults are immunized for such diseases is to keep them safe, but it is also to protect babies and older people with vulnerable immune systems. There have been six cases of pertussis - whooping cough - reported in Alamance County since 2003.
The health department is now offering a walk-in clinic at 5 to 7 p.m. today and at the same time Sept. 22-23 or by appointment in an effort to provide the vaccination to students. It's a free vaccine.
The law required students to have the immunization by the first day of school, which was Aug. 25, but there is a 30-day grace period, which is up Sept. 23.
"They have to get their proof to school so the school nurse can review their record and check them off the list," Kernodle said.
For more information about immunizations go to www.immunizenc.com. Appointments aren't necessary for the walk-in clinic. People who need an appointment at another time can call 570-6459.
More than 1,000 county sixth-graders face possible suspension
New state immunization rule deadline is Sept. 23
September 16, 2008 - 6:04PM
More than a thousand sixth-grade students in the Alamance-Burlington School System have less than a week to get a booster shot or show proof they've been immunized against whooping cough.
If they don't, they will be suspended from school.
A new state law requires that all sixth-graders who entered school after Aug. 1 are required to get a Tdap -tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis - booster shot if five years or more have passed since the last dose of the tetanus/diphtheria toxoid. The same rule applies for 12-year-olds who attend school at home or private school
Students have until Sept. 23 to provide proof of the immunization to their school nurse.
"We don't want to see large numbers of people excluded or suspended," said Lucy Kernodle, the lead school nurse for the Alamance-Burlington School System. "Our goal is to keep students in school learning."
[B]There are about 1,788 sixth-grade students in the Alamance-Burlington School System. Based on information provided to Kernodle from middle school nurses last Friday, there were still 1,021 students who haven't been immunized or haven't provided proof of immunization.[/B]
It's causing some concern.
"One of the problems is a sixth-grade parent is not used to having to deal with this," Kernodle said. "They are not thinking about this being a possibility. It's a brand new rule, and it is going to happen. We have to comply with state immunization laws."
The new immunization law went into effect Jan. 1. Last spring, the school system and the Alamance County Health Department launched campaigns to educate parents of fifth-graders about the change. Fliers were sent home, calls were made to parents and an article was in the Times-News. Physician offices were notified and the health department started offering the shot. A similar effort was made at the start of this school year.
Whooping cough can be a problem for adolescents. It causes severe coughing, vomiting, disturbed sleep and weight loss. It also can cause inflammation in a baby's airway, which could close it and lead to death.
Part of the reason teens and adults are immunized for such diseases is to keep them safe, but it is also to protect babies and older people with vulnerable immune systems. There have been six cases of pertussis - whooping cough - reported in Alamance County since 2003.
The health department is now offering a walk-in clinic at 5 to 7 p.m. today and at the same time Sept. 22-23 or by appointment in an effort to provide the vaccination to students. It's a free vaccine.
The law required students to have the immunization by the first day of school, which was Aug. 25, but there is a 30-day grace period, which is up Sept. 23.
"They have to get their proof to school so the school nurse can review their record and check them off the list," Kernodle said.
For more information about immunizations go to www.immunizenc.com. Appointments aren't necessary for the walk-in clinic. People who need an appointment at another time can call 570-6459.