6th grade to be immunized against varicella

Specifically, the varicella amendment requires the following:

• Students born on or after January 1,1994, and who enroll in the 6^th grade at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year must be immunized against varicella;

• Those students born on or after January 1,1994, and who transfer to a school in this state from another state or country after this law becomes effective on January 1. 2005. must be immunized at the time of entry into the school in the State of New York:

• Special Education students in gradeless classes who were born on or after January 1, 1994. must be immunized against varicella at the start of the 2005 -2006 school year;

• Students born on or after January 1,1994, who are repeating the 6^th grade at the beginning of the 2005 - 2006 school year are required to be immunized against varicella.

Exemptions from this requirement include the following:

• A history of varicella disease as documented by a health care provider. Parental recall of the disease history is not sufficient, and will not be accepted as proof of immunity;

• A medical exemption consisting of a written statement from a physician licensed to practice in the State of New York stating that there is a valid medical contraindication to varicella vaccine. A copy of the exemption must be retained by the school;

• A statement of religious exemption written by the parent, parents, or guardian of the child stating that they hold sincere and genuine religious belief(s) which prohibit the immunization of the child. A copy of the exemption must be retained by the school. Secular principles, including philosophical exemptions are not allowed;

• Serologic proof of immunity to varicella. The serologic test is reliable for determining the immune status in a healthy person after they had a natural infection, but may not be reliable in immuno-compromised persons.

Pertusis and Tetanus required for all students

  All children born on or after January 1, 2005, be immunized against tetanus and pertusis as a requirement for entry and attendance to any school defined by this law. A "school" means, and includes, any public, private, or parochial child caring center, day nursery, day care agency, nursery school, kindergarten, elementary, intermediate or secondary school.