News Releases / Full Story
March 3, 2008
New Immunization Requirements for 2008-2009
School Year
Rule Amended Wisconsin March 1, 2008
Age/Grade
Requirements for 2008-2009 School Year 
School Fact Sheet for Parents
Changes to Administrative Rule (Chapter HFS 144) governing
student immunization in Wisconsin officially go into effect
March 1, 2008 and apply to the 2008-09 school year.
These changes
affect:
Intent of the new rule is:
-
Prevent pneumococcal, pertussis and breakthrough
varicella infections among students,
-
Update existing rules by deleting obsolete
sections and adding clarifying language, and
-
Create a clear requirement
for disclosure of immunization information
Immunization changes are:
-
Addition of pneumococcal infection to the
list of diseases against which students in day care centers are to be immunized.
The typical series consists of at least 3 doses however,
exceptions can be made for
children who begin this vaccine series at 12-23 months
of age (only 2 total doses required) and children who begin
the series at 24 months of age (only
1 dose required).
-
Requirement for a single dose of Tdap
for students entering grades 6, 9 and 12 in the 2008-09 school
year with
full implementation for grades 6-12 by the 2010-11 school year. An exception
is made for students
who have received a dose of tetanus or diphtheria
containing vaccine within the past 5 years.
-
Requirement for
a second dose of varicella vaccine for students entering
grades K, 6, and 12 in the 2008 - 09 school
year with full implementation in all grades by the 2013-14 school year.
An exception is made for students
who have a reliable history of chicken pox disease.
In addition, the following changes will be in effect:
-
Release
of immunization information between vaccine providers and
schools or day care centers, and among providers,
now creates a clear requirement for disclosure rather than a discretionary
permission.
-
The previous “written evidence of immunization” is
now updated to include electronic records.
-
Finally, the
state will be permitted to temporarily suspend a requirement
if it determines that because of a
vaccine shortage, a student cannot receive required vaccines.
An important reminder to immunization providers:
School districts rely on the Wisconsin Immunization Registry
(WIR) for the most up to date immunization information. Providers are
encouraged to document varicella history in WIR as well as all immunizations
that are given.
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