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May 15, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"State Says Seventh Graders Must Get Vaccines Before Starting School This Fall" Associated Press (www.ap.org) (05/15/02)

The Hawaii Department of Health is informing parents through a media campaign that their soon-to-be seventh graders are required to receive several vaccines before their first day of school this fall.  Students who are entering seventh grade must either present a yellow "Seventh Grade Student Immunization Record" card signed by their doctor or a note from a doctor explaining that the required vaccine is in short supply, officials said.  Under the new requirements, all seventh graders must be vaccinated against hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox before they start school, or they will be sent home.  Health officials in the state hope that parents begin vaccinating their children before the summer, when the clinics will be packed with people.

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.