Question on DTAP & IPV/OPV

[camotyka]

How do I find out if these vacs are required for school in MA? My 5 year old DS is starting at a private community school in September and although he has been vaccinated in the past I'd like to stop being intimidated by the ped and nursing staff and educate myself. They are telling me that he MUST get the dtap5 and ipv/opv. HELP!!!

[spero]

5 doses Dtap, 4 doses IPV/OPV

http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph...quirements.pdf

Have you thought about filing for an exemption?

[camotyka]

Originally Posted by spero

Have you thought about filing for an exemption?

spero thank you so very much for your reply. I'm not even sure where to start with filing for an exemption. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

[camotyka]

What does this wording mean? "4DTaP/DTP/DT/Td: ³4 doses are required for child care attendance and entry into preschool. 5
doses of DTaP/DTP are required for school entry unless the fourth dose is given on or after the
4th birthday."
Am I correct to understand this as if he received the forth dose after his birth date than he wouldn't be required to get the 5th?

[spero]

Current MA laws/statutes on exemption

MA has religious exemption. You may want to search the archives and post in your tribal area in FYT to find parents who've gone through the process in your state.

A child shall be admitted to school upon certification by a physician that he has personally examined such child and that in his opinion the physical condition of the child is such that his health would be endangered by such vaccination or by any of such immunizations. Such certification shall be submitted at the beginning of each school year to the physician in charge of the school health program. If the physician in charge of the school health program does not agree with the opinion of the child's physician, the matter shall be referred to the department of public health, whose decision will be final.

In the absence of an emergency or epidemic of disease declared by the department of public health, no child whose parent or guardian states in writing that vaccination or immunization conflicts with his sincere religious beliefs shall be required to present said physician's certificate in order to be admitted to school.

Originally Posted by camotyka

What does this wording mean? "4DTaP/DTP/DT/Td: ³4 doses are required for child care attendance and entry into preschool. 5
doses of DTaP/DTP are required for school entry unless the fourth dose is given on or after the
4th birthday."
Am I correct to understand this as if he received the forth dose after his birth date than he wouldn't be required to get the 5th?

If the fourth dose of DTaP is administered after the kid turns 4 years old, a fifth DTaP dose is not required for school entry.