State issues 2013-2014 immunization requirements

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana State Department of Health has published the school immunization requirements for the 2013-2014 school year for students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.

New requirements include:

• Kindergarten through 12th grade: Two valid doses of varicella vaccine or a documented history of having chicken pox disease. Students in grades kindergarten through 5th grade will need to have their history of chicken pox disease documented by a healthcare provider.

The Indiana State Department of Health also recommends that students receive the following immunizations:

• Kindergarten: Two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.
• 11th and 12th grade:  Booster dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine.

Hoosiers can access their immunization records through MyVaxIndiana, a user friendly website which allows parents and other individuals to connect with their immunization records from any computer through the use of a personal identification number (PIN). PINs can be obtained from healthcare providers and used to log in to the secure website, where users can then download, print or fax records. Each record also displays the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended immunization schedule. To learn more, visit www.MyVaxIndiana.in.gov.

The requirements and recommendations are in alignment with the routine vaccination schedules from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). For a complete listing of all school immunization requirements, visit http://www.state.in.us/isdh/17094.htm.