Immunization, Health, Eye and Dental Examinations

Required Health Examinations and Immunizations

All students are required to present appropriate proof that the student received a health examination and the immunizations against, and screenings for, preventable communicable diseases within one year prior to:

1. Entering Kindergarten or the first grade;
2. Entering the sixth and ninth grades; and
3. Enrolling in an Illinois school for the first time, regardless of the student’s grade.

The required health examinations must include a diabetes screening (diabetes testing is not required) and a statement from a physician assuring “risk-assessed” or screened for lead poisoning.

Failure to comply with the above requirements by October 15 of the current school year will result in the student’s exclusion from school until the required health forms are presented to the school, subject to certain exceptions. New students who register mid-term shall have 30 days following registration to comply with the health examination and immunization regulations. If a medical reason prevents a student from receiving a required immunization by October 15, the student must present, by October 15, an immunization schedule and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay. The schedule and statement of medical reasons must be signed by an appropriate medical professional.

Kindergarten Parents

The following examinations are required for entrance into kindergarten:

·  Current Physical Examination (within 1 year of the first day of school) including all required immunizations and must be completed by appropriate medical personnel. Out of state/country records must be on an Illinois health form or comparable form and dated within one year of the first day of school. Physical exam forms are due before August 1.

·  Dental Examination – This exam is to be submitted no later than May 15 of the current school year. Dental exams must be dated within 18 months of the May 15 deadline.

• Vision Examination – This exam is to be submitted no later than October 15 of the current school year.

Second Grade Parents

A dental examination is required for all students by May 15 of the current school year. Dental exams must be dated within 18 months of the May 15 deadline.

Sixth Grade Parents

The following examinations are required for entrance into sixth grade:

• Current Physical Examination (within 1 year of first day of school) including all required immunizations and must be completed by appropriate medical personnel. Out of state/country health records must be on an Illinois health form or comparable form and dated within one year of the first day of school. Physical exam forms are due by August 1. Physicals must also show proof of students receiving one dose of Tdap (defined as tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last DTap, DT, Td dose, two doses of Varicella (chicken pox), mumps & rubella (MMR), and three doses of Hepatitis B. Parents will be notified of problems with Hepatitis B series.
• Dental Examination – A dental examination is required for all students by May 15 of the current school year. Dental exams must be dated within 18 months of the May 15 deadline.

Transfer Students

The following examinations are required for entrance into school:

• Physical Examination including all required immunizations must be completed by appropriate medical personnel. Out of the state/country health records must be on an Illinois Health form or comparable form dated within one year of the first day of school.
• Dental Examination – Required for K, 2nd and 6th is to be submitted no later than May 15 of the school year. Dental exams must be completed within 18 months of the May 15 deadline.
• Vision Examination – Required for K, or any student entering an Illinois school for the first time at any grade. This exam is to be submitted no later the October 15 of the current school year.

Basic Immunizations

Rubella – Children entering school at any grade level (kindergarten through 12) shall show proof of having received two doses of live rubella virus vaccine, the first dose on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) after the first dose, or other proof of immunity described in Section 665.250(c).

Mumps – Children entering school at any grade level (kindergarten through 12) shall show proof of having received two doses of live mumps virus vaccine, the first dose on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) after the first dose, or other proof of immunity described in Section 665.250(c).

Measles – Children entering school at any grade level (kindergarten through 12) shall show proof of having received two doses of live measles virus vaccine, the first dose on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) after the first.

Hepatitis B – Children entering the sixth grade shall show proof of having received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine, or other proof of immunity described in Section 665.250(f). The first two doses shall have been received no less than four weeks (28 days) apart. The interval between the second and third doses shall be at least two months. The interval between the first and third doses shall be at least four months. Proof of prior or current infection, if verified by laboratory evidence, may be substituted for proof of vaccination (see Section 665.250(f)).

Varicella – Any child entering kindergarten, sixth grade, or ninth grade for the first time shall show proof of having received two doses of varicella vaccine, the first dose on or after the first birthday and the second dose no less than four weeks (28 days) after the first dose, or proof of prior varicella disease as described in Section 665.250(g), or laboratory evidence of varicella immunity.

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease – Children 2 to 5 years of age who have not received the primary series of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, according to the recommended vaccination schedule, shall show proof of receiving one dose of pneumococcal vaccine.

Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) – Children 2 to 5 years of age who have not received the primary series of Hib vaccine, according to the Hib vaccination schedule, shall show proof of receiving one dose of Hib vaccine at 15 months of age or older.  Any child five years of age or older shall not be required to provide proof of immunization with Hib vaccine.

Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus – Any child entering kindergarten or first grade for the first time shall show proof of having received four or more doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP or DTaP) vaccine, with the last dose being a booster and having been received on or after the fourth birthday.

Polio – Any child entering school at any grade level (pre-kindergarten through 12) shall show proof of having received three or more doses of polio vaccine (defined as oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)).  A child who received any combination of IPV and OPV shall show proof of having received at least four doses, with the last dose having been received on or after the fourth birthday

Eye Examination

All students entering Kindergarten or the school for the first time must present proof before October 15 of the current school year of an eye examination performed within one year prior to entry of Kindergarten or the school. Failure to present proof by October 15, allows the school to hold the student’s report card until the student presents: (1) a completed eye examination, or (2) that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15.

Dental Examination

All children entering Kindergarten and the second and sixth grades must present proof of having been examined by a licensed dentist before May 15 of the current school year. Failure to present proof allows the school to hold the child’s report card until the student presents: (1) of a completed dental examination, or (2) that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15.

Exemptions:

A student will be exempted from the above requirements for:

1. Religious or medical grounds if the student’s parent/guardian presents to the building principal a signed statement explaining the objection;
2. Health examination or immunization requirements on medical grounds if a physician provides written verification;
3. Eye examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or lack or access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or a licensed optometrist; or
4. Dental examination requirement if the student’s parent/guardian shows an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist.