'NO SHOTS, NO SCHOOL' POLICY ENFORCED

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Immunizations are more than something parents "ought" to make sure their children have before starting school.

It's a requirement, and no vaccination could mean no school for local youths.

It may sound a little harsh, but as Brenda Freed pointed out, it's for a good reason. Immunizations can protect a child against diseases that can hurt, cripple or kill by helping him build natural defenses against the disease.

"Vaccination represents some of the most important tools available for the prevention of disease," pointed out the Scott County Health Department's health educator. "In addition to protecting the vaccinated individual from developing a potentially serious disease, it helps protect the community by reducing the spread of infectious agents.

If a high enough proportion of the population is immunized from diseases that spread from person to person transmission may be interrupted in the community, which means protection for those who haven't been immunized." Before school starts Aug. 17, children in the R-6 school district must have proof that they are in compliance with state laws and regulations requiring immunization against polio, rubella, mumps, tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria, or that the immunization process has begun.

Students in kindergarten through first grade must have received four doses of DTaP/DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis), with the last dose on or after the fourth birthday.

"The minimum required amount of DTP is four doses, but the recommended is five doses before they start kindergarten to be properly immunized," Freed added.

Students in kindergarten through grade 10 are required to have two doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella).

Students in kindergarten through third grade, and seventh and eight grades must have completed the hepatitis B series.

Failure to comply will result in the student's exclusion from school until proof of compliance has been presented to the district. If the student has proof that he has begun the process of immunization, he can continue to attend school as long as the process is proceeding. Homeless children are the only exception, and are allowed a 24-hour time period to provide the proof of compliance.

This holds true unless the parents or guardians have signed and placed on file with the school administrator a statement of exemption because of religious beliefs or medical contradictions.

For more information call the Scott County Health Department at 471-4044.