There are medical and religious exemptions available in Alaska.  – SM

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July 13, 2001

“School Is Off Limits to Unvaccinated Kids”

Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) (07/10/01) P. D3; Potempa, Ann

Alaska’s Department of Education and Early Development added three new vaccines to its schedule for children last year.  As a result, children must be vaccinated against mumps and have started the series of shots for hepatitis A and B before registering for school in mid-August or by the time school starts.  Officials estimate that at least 11,300 of children in Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough have yet to start the hepatitis shots.  “We really don’t want to have to turn away anyone on the first day of school, but we will be mandated by law to do so” if they do not comply with the vaccine requirements, said Kim Floyd of the Mat-Su School District.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.