The Indiana State Department of Health has requested that all immunizations be listed in the state registry bank (CHIRP) so that electronic reports may be filed starting with next school year. The state registry bank is a system that enables healthcare providers and health department nurses to track immunizations, prevents over/under immunizing and allows school nurses to access immunization records on new/transfer students. In order to enter this information we need your consent, you will find a consent form attached to the newsletter. Please take a moment to look this over, complete the information requested, sign and return to your school health aide ASAP. If you wish to not participate in this program please write “NO” next to your child’s name, sign and return so that we may know that you did receive the form but do not wish to participate. In addition to writing “NO” you must contact the Indiana State Dept of Health at ISDH Hotline 1-800-701-0704 M-F 8:30am-4:30pm to complete the Immunization Data Removal form. If you have multiple children you can get additional forms from your school Health Aide or from the school website under Health Services. Each student must have a separate form on file.

There will be additional immunizations required for 2010-11 school year. Kindergarten students will require a 2^nd Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine, and their 4^th dose of Polio must have been given on or after their 4^th birthday. Those are the only changes for the elementary level for 2010-11. Remember the state can make changes up until June but not likely. If you have 6th-12^th grade students they will be required to have a 2^nd Varicella (chicken pox), 1-meningitis and 1-Tdap (pertussis) vaccine before returing in the fall. *You can get these immunizations NOW, you do not have to wait until summer.* In fact I would recommend you NOT WAIT because it is more difficult to get an appointment and easy to forget. Students will not be allowed to attend school in the fall until their immunizations are current. You must SEND IN AN UPDATED SHOT RECORD so we can update our records and ensure your child is completely immunized. The physician or health department can easily fax this information to your child’s school but you must give permission for them to do this. 

As you may imagine this will be a BIG undertaking so I would appreciate your prompt response!!!!! RETURN FORMS BY 3/19/10!!!! THANK YOU!!

Theresa L. Smith RN