Please be advised of recent changes to school vaccination requirements for children.
On June 13, 2019, state lawmakers passed an amendment that eliminates the exemption from vaccinations due to religious beliefs. This is an amendment to the New York State Public Health Law Section 2164, which requires children to have certain immunizations (shots) to attend school. This amendment removes religious exemptions only and does not affect medical exemptions.
Please contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to make sure that your child has all the needed immunizations so they may continue attending school in September. They are listed below for each grade level, followed by information on how to provide proof of immunization.
Immunization Requirements for Pre-Kindergarten Students (2019-2020)
|
Immunization |
Number of Doses |
|
Polio |
3 |
|
Hepatitis B |
3 |
|
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis |
4 |
|
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) |
1 |
|
Varicella (Chickenpox) |
1 |
|
Hemophilus Influenzae |
1 to 4 |
|
Pneumococcal Conjugate |
1 to 4 |
Immunization Requirements for Students in Kindergarten-Grade 5 (2019-2020)
|
Immunization |
Number of Doses |
|
Polio |
4 doses or 3 doses |
|
Hepatitis B |
3 doses |
|
Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis |
5 doses or 4 doses |
|
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) |
2 doses |
|
Varicella (Chickenpox) |
2 doses |
Immunization Requirements for Students in Grades 6-12 (2019-2020)
|
Immunization |
Number of Doses |
|
DTaP/DTP |
3 doses |
|
Tdap |
Age 11: Must receive an immunization containing Tetanus |
|
Polio |
4 doses |
|
Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) |
2 doses |
|
Hepatitis B |
3 doses or 2 doses |
|
Varicella (chickenpox) |
2 doses (or 1 dose if entering Grade 12) |
|
Meningococcal conjugate |
1 dose |
*Most students in grades 8, 9 and 10 will have already received the MenACWY vaccine dose in grade 7, unless transferred from out-of-state or out-of-country. Per NYSDOH, MenACWY vaccine is not required for grade 11.
If your child had a religious exemption: In order to attend school in September, your child must have received at least the first age-appropriate dose in each immunization series. Also, by July 14, 2019 parents and guardians of such children must show that they have scheduled appointments for all required follow-up doses. Please note if your child began a series but did not complete it, you may need to complete the entire series again. Contact your health care provider for confirmation.
Please send proof of immunization to the school nurse where your child will be attending. Proof of immunization must be any 1 of the 3 items listed below:
- An immunization certificate signed by your health care provider
- Immunization Registry report (NYSIIS or CIR from NYC) from your health care provider or your county health department
- A blood test (titer) lab report that proves your child is immune to the diseases. For varicella (chickenpox), a note from your health care provider (MD, NP, PA) which says your child had the disease is also acceptable.
If you have questions or concerns about immunizations, please contact the school health staff:
Health Office Phone Numbers
M.C. Smith Elementary School (Pre-K to Grade 2) – Sheila Lewis, RN, BSN: 518-828-4360 x4312
M.C. Smith Elementary School (Grades 3-5) – June Boucher, RN: 518-828-4360 x1118
Hudson Junior High School – Stephanie Haigh, LPN: 518-828-4360 x8311
Hudson Senior High School – Pierpont Geer, RN: 518-828-4360 x3107
Health Office Fax Numbers
M.C. Smith Elementary School: 518-697-8797
Hudson Junior High School: 518-697-8791
Hudson Senior High School: 518-697-8798
Sincerely,
Dr. Maria Lagana Suttmeier
Superintendent