Is there any information on the Varicella mandate?
The Department of Health and Senior Services has proposed a regulation that effective September 1, 2003, every child attending or entering preschools, pre-kindergarten, or child care centers who are over 19 months of age will be required to have received one dose of varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, on or after the first birthday. Children, who present either documented laboratory evidence of immunity, a physician s statement, or parental statement of previous varicella disease, shall not be required to receive varicella vaccine. Because the regulations have not been finalized, it is late to send out notices for full compliance for September 1, 2003. Parents should be encouraged to have their children receive the appropriate varicella vaccine by the end of the 2003-2004 school year. During this transitional period these children should not be excluded from school attendance for non-compliance before September 1, 2004.
