Sandi Doughton; The News Tribune

By Jan. 1, all Washington schoolchildren must be caught up with their diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis shots, the state Health Department announced Friday.

The department temporarily relaxed the vaccine rules earlier this year, when a vaccine shortage made it difficult to get all five DTaP shots normally required before children can be enrolled in schools or licensed daycare centers.

During the shortage, children across the state missed more than 30,000 doses of the combined vaccine. The shortage occurred when one of the major manufacturers stopped producing the vaccine in January 2001.

Now, the supply is back to normal, said Cindy Gleason, who heads the state immunization program.

"We have sufficient supplies for people to get their kids back in to make up those missed doses," she said.

"By the time kids get back to school from winter break, they need to be caught up."

According to state law, children who aren't completely immunized can be barred from attending school, though parents can exempt their children for religious and other reasons.

Clinics and doctors' offices are encouraged to send reminders to parents whose children missed shots, said Cindy Smith, immunization director for the Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department.

If parents don't remember whether their children are up to date on their DTaP shots, they should check with their health care providers, Gleason said.

Vaccines are available at private health care facilities and low-income clinics across Pierce County.

Sandi Doughton: 253-597-8516
sandi.doughton@mail.tribnet.com

Where to go

• For more information on where and how to get children vaccinated, call the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department information line at 253-798-2987.

(Published 12:30AM, November 3rd, 2002)