The California School Law outlines the immunizations required for child care entry. The school immunization requirements are not as comprehensive as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendations. Please encourage parents to make sure their children receive all of the recommended vaccines in addition to the ones required for child care entry.
California Immunization Requirements for Child Care:
CDC & Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendations:
The following steps should be taken to make sure children have all the required vaccines.
- Obtain the child’s personal immunization record.
Spring registration is the best time to view records in case a child needs vaccines. Children who are not up-to-date can register, but cannot attend child care until they have received the required vaccines.
- Review the child’s personal immunization record.
Preferred personal immunization records include: California Immunization Records (the Yellow Card), Out-of-State records, International records, and California School Immunization Records (Blue Cards) from another child care center. Records must include the name of the vaccine and the date it was given. Encourage parents to have a Yellow Card and to have it filled out completely.
- Complete the California School Immunization Record (Blue Card).
Enter the date each vaccine was given onto the Blue Card. If the child had chickenpox disease they do not need the Varicella vaccine. The Yellow Card must be marked “Had disease” and signed or stamped by the provider, then write “Had disease” across the date boxes next to Varicella on the Blue Card.
- Assess the child’s immunization status.
Children who have all the required vaccines or the state-granted exemptions may attend child care. Children who are not up-to-date must be excluded from child care; give the parent a Notice of Immunizations Needed to take to their provider. Allow children to attend child care after they show proof they have received the necessary vaccines.
- File the Blue Card in the child’s cumulative file.
The Blue Card is considered part of the permanent child care record. Child care centers with a State-approved electronic system for storing immunization records do not have to keep hard copies on file. Hard copies are necessary for children with Medical and Personal Beliefs Exemptions and when a child transfers out of district.
- Follow up with conditional entrants monthly.
Conditional entrants are students who were admitted into child care, but need more vaccines before the school year is over. These are children who are in the middle of a series of shots or who have a temporary medical exemption. Be sure to alert parents when more vaccines are due. The student has 10 school days after receiving a written notice to show proof the vaccine was given.
California Immunization Handbook suggested follow-up methods
- Complete the Annual Report.
The Annual Report for Child Care Centers is due on September 28th; there is a follow up report due December 3rd for child care centers listing conditional entrants on their Annual Report. The Selective Review occurs every spring; child care centers are chosen at random by the State for auditing and you will be notified in advance if your school is chosen.
If you have questions about reviewing immunization records, the Annual Report or the Selective Review, please contact:
Kimberly Ralston (Health Educator): 619.692.8601 Kimberly.ralston@sdcounty.ca.gov
or
Anita Secor (Public Health Nurse): 619.692.8691
Anita.secor@sdcounty.ca.gov |
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