IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS School Health Requirements
State of Hawai‘i Department of Health Immunization Branch
What does Hawai‘i State Law require for school attendance? Hawai‘i State Law requires all students to meet examination and immunization requirements before they may attend any public or private school in the State. School means any: • Group child care home • Head Start program • Middle school • Day nursery • Preschool • Secondary school • Day care center • Kindergarten • Child care center • Elementary school
Are exemptions allowed? Children may be exempt from immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons, if the appropriate documentation is presented to the school. Religious exemption forms may be completed at the school that your child will attend. Medical exemptions must be obtained from your child’s doctor. No other exemptions are allowed by the State.
What are the health requirements? Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance: • Must be completed within one year before first entrance into school in Hawai‘i (preschool or kindergarten through 12th grade) • The tuberculin test (Mantoux) must be performed by a U.S. licensed Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Physician’s Assistant (PA), or the Hawai‘i Department of Health Tuberculosis Control Program at http://health.hawaii.gov/tb/ or call (808) 832-5731. • Infants who first attend school before age 12 months must submit a TB certificate to the school before they reach 14 months of age. Physical Examination: • Must be completed within one year before first entrance into school in Hawai‘i (preschool or kindergarten through 12th grade) • Must be performed by a U.S. licensed MD, DO, ND, APRN or PA. Immunizations: Immunizations required for school attendance: • DTaP/DTP/Td (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis) • Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) (for preschool attendance) • Polio • Varicella (chickenpox) • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) • Hepatitis B All immunizations must meet minimum age and interval requirements between vaccine doses.
What is required by the first day of school? By the first day of school, all students entering school in Hawai‘i for the first time must have: 1. Results of a tuberculosis examination, completed within one year before school entrance AND 2. A completed health record form to prove that a physical examination was performed within one year before school entrance, and that all immunization requirements have been met. OR A signed statement or appointment slip from your doctor to prove that your child has a physical examination scheduled and/or has begun the vaccination series and is waiting for the next dose in the series. Students who have not completed the above requirements by the first day of school will not be allowed to attend school until these requirements are met.
December 2015