The what and where of kids' vaccinations

By BARBARA BEHRENDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 16, 2000

INVERNESS -- Summer vacation is a good time for parents to make sure that their children have all their necessary vaccinations and are aware of other pertinent health matters.

Cathy Reckenwald, student health specialist, recently provided detailed information about what parents and children need to know in preparation for the new school year. A 14-year employee of the district, Reckenwald has served in this position for five years.

Her official duties include training staff in CPR, first aid and HIV and AIDS, training health room attendants and providing bus driver in-service training. She is also the district's liaison with the Citrus County Health Department and coordinates with Lydia McLaurin, senior community health nurse, and other Health Department officials.

Reckenwald also keeps school health rooms supplied. Here is some of the information she provided to Citrus Times staff writer Barbara Behrendt.

Q: What immunizations do students need to start school and where can they get them?

A: "Parents need to have a record of their child's immunizations, which normally includes five DPTs (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis), three hepatitis B's, four polios and two MMRs (measles/mumps/rubella) to start kindergarten.

"Immunizations are free at the Health Department, and they will review the record brought in by the parent and administer any shot needed for school entry. The Health Department has a walk-in evening clinic in Lecanto for school-age children on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring the shot record.

"Blue cards (the official immunization document required by the state) can be completed at the Health Department, physician's office, or by the school nurse. It is important to note that it takes four to six months to complete the hepatitis series, so if parents have not had their child start the shots, the student will be required to start school with a valid temporary blue card and be monitored for compliance. If the temporary card expires, the child will be excluded from school until the next shot is given. We, of course, don't want this to happen, so we encourage parents to start immunizations early and maintain the schedule recommended by the CDC."

Q: What immunizations are needed for older students?

A: "Students who will be in seventh, eighth, ninth,and 10th grades require the hepatitis B series and second MMR (if they have not already had it) and a tetanus booster in addition to the initial school-entry immunizations. Students who are retained in 10th grade are also required to meet this rule.

"Students in 11th and 12th grade are not required to receive additional immunizations, but it is valuable protection from serious diseases. There is no charge while they are in school, so parents need to take advantage of this service."

Q: What do parents need to know about physicals?

A: "Parents with students entering kindergarten need to provide the school with a complete physical prior to the first day of school. Parents with students entering a Florida school for the first time also need to present a physical dated within the last year.

"The Health Department requires appointments be made for physicals at any of the three offices (527-0068, Lecanto; 726-1731, Inverness; 795-6233, Crystal River). The charge for physicals is $35 but can be adjusted if the parent provides proof of income and meets the criteria for the sliding scale of payment. Bring shot records and a urine specimen for physicals."

Next week Reckenwald answers questions about special needs students, the district's medication policy, emergency forms and guidelines for when children should be kept home from school.

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