The State of Kansas recently changed its vaccine laws regarding the Varicella (Chicken Pox) and Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis/Whooping Cough booster).

• Children entering kindergarten will be required to have two doses of Varicella vaccine or have proof of disease for the 2009/2010 school year.
• All children will be required to have a Tdap at 11 years of age for the 2009/2010 school year.
• All children will be required to have 2 doses of Varicella and 3 doses of Hepatitis B for the 2010/2011 school year.
• All children under 5 years in preschool or childcare operated by a school must have two doses of Hepatitis A vaccine.

The complete schedule for kindergarten entry:

DTaP:  5 doses are standard, but 4 doses are acceptable if the 4th dose is given on or after the 4th birthday.

Polio:  Four doses are standard, three doses are acceptable if the 3rd dose is given on or after the 4th birthday and each has at least a 4 week interval between doses.

MMR:  Two doses are required.  Single dose vaccines will not meet requirements unless all components are given.  The first dose must be given on or after the 1st birthday.  If it was before the birthday, a 3rd dose must be given.

Varicella (chickenpox):  Unless there is physician documentation of disease, 2 doses are required for kindergarten for the 2009-2010 school year, 1 dose required for grades 1-9 for the 2009-2010 school year.  Two doses will be required of all children for the 2010-2011 school year unless there is physician documentation of disease.

Hepatitis B:  3 doses required.

For older children:

Tdap:  required at 11 years of age if more than 2 years since previous DTaP.

Polio:  3 or 4 doses as above.

MMR:  2 doses as above.

Varicella:  1 dose required for the 2009-2010 school year, 2 doses for the 2010-2011 school year.

Hepatitis B:  3 doses required.

For children in preschools or daycares operated by the school district:

Hepatitis A: 2 doses are required.

Hib:  3 doses required in children under 5 years.

Pneumococcal (PCV7):  4 doses required for children under 5 years.

For more information, visit the Kansas Department of Health website.

For information on Missouri vaccine requirements, click here for 2009/10 school year and here for 2010/2011 school year.