1. A record of the month, day, and year immunizations were given, signed by your physician / clinic or public immunization clinic, or
2. A copy of the month, day, and year immunizations were given from your own records, signed by you.
Are there exemptions? The law allows certain exemptions to the immunization rule: 1. If your child cannot receive a required vaccine for medical reasons, you may submit a statement signed by a physician that will exempt your child from that particular requirement.
2. If immunization goes against your personal belief, you may submit a notarized statement that will exempt your child from immunization requirements.
What immunizations does my child need to start school? State law requires that children be immunized against nine diseases to enroll in a Minnesota school. Before the time your child enters school he or she should have received no less than:
• 5 doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis( DTP). The final dose must be received after the fourth birthday.
• 4 doses of polio vaccine. The final dose must be received after the fourth birthday.
• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella( MMR) vaccine after the age of 12 months.
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B immunizations( HBV).
• 2 doses of varicella.
The exception would be if your child received the fourth dose of DTP and the third dose of polio after he or she was 4 years of age, then four and three doses would be sufficient.
If your child has had chickenpox disease or a medical reason that does not allow them to receive chickenpox vaccine, you must have a doctor sign a form stating that the child does not need to get a varicella shot. Your medical provider is required to provide the year your child had the chickenpox disease.
Do I need any proof of immunization? To comply with the law, you must submit appropriate documentation of your child’ s immunization record to the school principal or health staff before beginning school. This documentation may be in one of the following forms:
We urge you to make note of these immunization requirements and to prepare now so your child will be able to begin school. If you have any questions, please call your child’ s school or the district’ s school Health Service office, 763-506-1568.
Does my child need a physical examination or vision exam? Although it is not required for kindergarten, an annual physical examination is always a good idea. If you do not have a family physician, the clinics listed below are good resources for low cost health care.
• Central Avenue Clinic, 612-781-6816
• Fremont Community Health, 612-588-9411
• St. Mary’ s Health Clinic, 651-287-7777
• Anoka County Immunization Info Line, 763-323-6100
• North Metro Pediatrics, 763-783-3722
School nurses can help obtain free and reduced cost glasses and vision checks for children of families who have financial needs. Please check with your school nurse.
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