Date: September 14, 2005
To: Educational Institutions, School Nurse Teachers, and
Childcare Providers
Re: School Immunization Requirements for Children Displaced by Hurricane Katrina
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the states that were affected by Hurricane Katrina have immunization requirements in place for school and childcare enrollment. The CDC considers children who were enrolled in school and childcare prior to the disaster to be vaccinated appropriately. Therefore, there is currently no recommendation to repeat vaccinations for school enrollment for children displaced by the disaster.
Following this CDC guidance, the Rhode Island Department of Health is allowing enrollment of students transferring from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to Rhode Island schools and childcare facilities. Temporary Immunization Exemption Certificates may be used to document the status of these children as evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. You can obtain Temporary Immunization Exemption Certificates by calling the HEALTH Information Line at 1-800-942-7434.
Although we are allowing for immunization exemption at this time for school enrollment, these children should be vaccinated from this point forward according to the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm.
Should you or a parent have questions about a child’s immunization status, the Immunization Program will be working with contacts from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to retrieve immunization records for children relocating to Rhode Island. Schools seeking immunization information should contact Kathy Marceau, School and Adolescent Services Coordinator, at 222-4624 or Kathym@doh.state.ri.us with the child’s name, date of birth, and state of residency.
Information will be posted on Health’s web site at www. health.ri.gov. Check the site regularly for updates . The CDC has information on other health concerns that may be relevant for survivors of Hurricane Katrina, which can be located at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/.
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