The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is adjusting the list of required vaccinations for K-12 students heading into the 2019-2020 academic year.
KDHE Secretary Lee Norman says students entering kindergarten and first grade need two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine.
Hepatitis A is normally spread when something contaminated by feces — objects, food or drinks — and ingested by mouth. Symptoms include fever, poor appetite, vomiting, stomach pain and occasionally jaundice. Liver failure is a rare occurrence.
Also, students going into seventh grade need one dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
Students going into 11th grade need a dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine if they have not been vaccinated before their 16th birthday — and they will need a second dose if they were vaccinated prior to their 16th birthday.
Meningococcal disease has two main effects: meningitis and bloodstream infections. It’s normally spread by coughing, sneezing or kissing. Symptoms include sudden fever, headaches, and stiff neck, with a dark purple rash indicating a bloodstream infection. About 10 percent of patients die, with survivors possibly losing limbs, becoming deaf, suffering seizures or strokes or becoming developmentally disabled.
Spokesperson Kristi Pankratz says KDHE proposed changes to vaccine requirements earlier this year and made the changes after a public hearing and a 60-day public comment period. There are exemptions, including “medical contraindications” or religious beliefs. For medical matters, parents need to have a signed doctor’s note. Religious objections need to be submitted to the student’s school board.
