Health Requirements

Immunizations

In accordance with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services, 902 KAR 2:060, Section 2, immunizations are required for attendance at day-care centers, certified family child-care homes, other licensed facilities that care for children, preschool programs, and school shall have the Kentucky Immunization Certificate, EPID-230, (an original, not a copy, is requested) on file within two weeks of enrollment. The certificate must be signed by any duly licensed medical or osteopathic physician, nurse practitioner, or local health department provider; and must show dates all vaccines were administered. Generally the required vaccines and doses are as follows:

• Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate (Hib) - Children (under five years of age) attending preschool programs are required to have Hib vaccine. Note: Completed 4 dose series with one dose 15 months of age or later OR at least one dose after 15 months of age.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - One dose (1) of MMR on or after the first birthday, AND a second dose of measles containing vaccine are required for:
  • All new, first time enrollees to Jefferson County schools.
  • All students and Preschool or Head Start children who have reached their 4th birthday.
• Hepatitis B -Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine are required for:
  • Students in Preschool, Head Start, Kindergarten through 6th grade and students whose birth date is 10/1/92 or later.
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Td) - The minimum requirements are four (4) doses with one (1) dose on or after the 4th birthday and a minimum of six (6) months between the last two (2) doses. Students 11 or 12 years of age with a 5 year time lapse since their last DTP or TD should have a Td booster. Students 13 or older for whom ten (10) years have elapsed since the last DTP, DTaP, or Td, require one booster of Td vaccine.
• Polio (OPV/IPV) -The minimum requirements are three (3) doses with one (1) dose on or after the 4th birthday, and a minimum of four (4) weeks apart, but preferably six (6) months, between the last two (2) doses.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) - One dose, given on or after age 12 months is required for children who are at least 19 months of age and less than 7 years of age, unless a parent, guardian, or physician states that the child has had chickenpox disease.

Preventative Health Care Examination Requirements:

A completed Preventative Health Care Examination form for Kentucky school children is required within two (2) months after the first day of attendance in a Kentucky School. The examination may be performed by a licensed physician, ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner), physician assistant, or EPSDT provider from any state. This form must be submitted as proof of an examination that has been given no earlier than one (1) year prior to or sixty (60) days after the first day of attendance in a Kentucky School. There are two grade appropriate forms used to document medical examinations:

• Head Start through 4th grade: Preventative Health Care Examination—Initial Entry
• Grades 5th through 12th: Preventative Health Care Examination—Sixth Grade Form

Eye Examinations

This requirement is only for students, between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, (first year at lowest level: public school, public preschool, or Head Start)Present the completed Kentucky Vision Examination form no later than January 1 of the first year that the child is enrolled in a public school, public preschool or Head Start. The examination must be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Tuberculosis Testing

Effective July 15, 1998, a TB skin test is no longer required for entry into Kentucky schools. However, selective TB testing may be carried out on notification of the local health department. Parents should report all illnesses to the school, and parents are urged to call the school immediately to report a diagnosed, contagious disease so that provisions can be made for the protection of other students.

Health Concerns

Students with health concerns such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, allergies, heart disease, etc. need to have an emergency information card on file in the school’s office. In addition, physician’s authorization forms may need to be completed for some health concerns. Parents are urged to keep emergency phone numbers up-to-date at all times. For more information call the office of Health Services at 485-3387.

Medication

Students who require medication during school hours must have a signed, notarized Authorization to Give Medication form on file. The medication must be sent to school in its original container with the prescription label attached. Medication should be kept and supervised by school personnel. Parents are urged to consult their physicians to schedule medication to be given before and/or after school.

Screening Programs

During the school year, elementary school students participate in vision and hearing screenings. Middle school students, who have parent consent, are screened for scoliosis. Schools may also conduct head lice screenings as needed. Parents who do not want their child to participate in such screenings should notify the school in writing and be prepared to present evidence of screening by their personal health care provider.

The form listed above is available as standard PDF file. To use the PDF format, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is freely downloadable from the Adobe web site by clicking on the 'Get Acrobat!' icon.