August 9, 1995

REMINDER: START OF SCHOOL MEANS CHECK IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- With the 1995-96 school year fast approaching, Dr. John R. Lumpkin, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, today reminded parents to add a check of their child's immunization records to a list of things to do before school starts.

Illinois law mandates that children in elementary and secondary public and private schools be immunized against seven childhood diseases, and children entering kindergarten for the first time must show proof they have been screened for lead poisoning.

"One of the easiest and most effective steps we can take to help children grow up healthy and free from preventable childhood diseases is to make sure they have had their immunizations," Dr. Lumpkin said.

Dr. Lumpkin said children without the state mandated vaccinations may not be allowed to attend school until immunization requirements are met. The only exceptions are for those parents who have filed a religious or medical exemption with the school district.

In addition to the proof of immunizations, state law requires children 6 months to 6 years of age entering a licensed day care, preschool or kindergarten provide proof of a screening for lead poisoning. However, the state lead screening law does not exclude children from school if they have not been tested for lead poisoning.

Children entering Illinois elementary and secondary schools for the first time must meet the following immunization requirements:

• Measles -- Two doses of live measles vaccine, with the first dose at 12 months of age or later and the second dose at least one month after the first; a physician-diagnosed case of measles; or laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Polio (OPV) -- Three or more doses administered at appropriate intervals with the last dose being a booster and received on or after the child's fourth birthday.
• Diphtheria, Tetanus (lockjaw), Pertussis (whooping cough) (DTP) -- Four or more doses administered at the appropriate intervals with the last dose being a booster received on or after the child's fourth birthday.
• Mumps -- Vaccine at 12 months of age or later or a physician-diagnosed case of mumps.
• Rubella -- Vaccine at 12 months of age or later or laboratory evidence of immunity.

School districts must demonstrate at least 90 percent compliance with state-mandated immunization requirements by October 15 each year or face a 10 percent loss of state aid.

Students born after 1956 who are entering public or private four-year universities or colleges in Illinois for the first time must provide proof of the following:

• Measles -- Two doses of live measles vaccine at 12 months of age or later, with the second dose at least one month after the first; a physician-diagnosed case of measles; or laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria (TD) -- One dose of TD vaccine within 10 years of enrollment.
• Mumps -- Vaccine at 12 months of age or later or proof of a physician-diagnosed case of mumps or laboratory evidence of immunity.
• Rubella -- Vaccine at 12 months of age or later or laboratory evidence of immunity.

"Vaccines are made available statewide to local health departments and public clinics through state and federal resources," Dr. Lumpkin said. "There is no reason any child in Illinois should not be properly immunized because of an inability to pay."

For information on obtaining immunizations, individuals may contact their physicians, local health departments or the Illinois Department of Public Health at 1-800-323-GROW (TTY and voice).

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments