GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Greenwich, CT

Vaccination Requirements and Exemptions

Measles Update – February 2015

All students enrolled in the Greenwich Public Schools are required to have the vaccinations specified in Connecticut Regulation Section 10-204a -Required immunizations.

Sec. 10-204a. Required immunizations. Temporary waiver.(a) Each local or regional board of education, or similar body governing a nonpublic school or schools, shall require each child to be protected by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule for active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f before being permitted to enroll in any program operated by a public or nonpublic school under its jurisdiction.

School-Related Immunizations Immunization Of School Children AgainstMeasles, Mumps, Rubella, Poliomyelitis, Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis,Hemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), Hepatitis B, and Varicella10-204a-2a.

Adequate immunization

(a)Measles. An individual shall be considered adequately protected againstmeasles if thatindividual:

(1)is enrolled in preschool and was immunized by use of one (1) dose ofliveattenuated measles vaccine on or after that individual's first birthday; or

(2) on or after August 1, 2011, is enrolled in kindergarten through grade12 and wasimmunized against measles by use of two (2) doses of a live attenuatedmeaslesvaccine given at least twenty-eight (28) days apart, the first on or afterthatindividual's first birthday; or

(3) has had protection against measles confirmed in writing by a physician,physicianassistant or advanced practice registered nurse based on specific bloodtestingby a certified laboratory.

(b)Currently 2 doses of measles vaccine are required for students in grades kindergarten through 12.

Parents may only request exemptions to the vaccinations, in writing, under the following conditions:

  • Contra indicated by a medical condition, certified by a medical provider;
  • Contrary to religious beliefs;
  • Proof from a medical provider that the student had a confirmed case of such disease.
  • Laboratory confirmation of immunity to measles

Exemption information

(a)Children with medical exemptions shall be permitted to attend a licensedchildcare program or schoolexcept in the case of an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease. In theevent of an outbreak of vaccinepreventable disease, all susceptible children will be excluded from childcare or school settings based onpublic health officials’ determination that the child care facility orschool is a significant site for diseaseexposure, transmission and spread into the community.

(b)Children withoutproof of immunity, includingchildren with religious and medical exemptions shall be excluded from thesesettings for this reason andwill not be able to return until:

1)the danger of the outbreak has passedas determined by public healthofficials;

2)the child becomes ill with the disease and completelyrecovers; or

3)the child is immunized.

Connecticut, unlike some of the states impacted by the most recent measles outbreak, does not allow for an exemption based on “personal beliefs.” Currently 20 states allow for “personal belief” exemptions and some, like California, are considering removing the “personal belief” exemption.

Currently in the Greenwich Public Schools,approximately 0.8% of the students have not been completely vaccinated against measles either for religious or medical reasons. If at any time during the time school is in session, a case of any of measles is reported, all unvaccinated students in that school are required to remain at home for 21 days. There have beenno reported cases of measles in the Greenwich Public Schools in the last 20 years.

The Greenwich Departmentof Health Immunization Program participates in the Vaccine forChildren Program,providing vaccinations, free of charge, to schoolaged children with few exceptions. For those that are not free the fee is affordable. Importantly, MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) is one of the free vaccines.

The Immunization Clinic is open every Monday,Wednesdayand Friday 2:30 - 3:30 at the Department of Healthunless closed for a holiday or inclement weather. For more information, call the Greenwich Department of Health at (203) 622-6495 or (203) 622-3782

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