State updates vaccination requirements for schoolkids

State health officials are planning to add new vaccination requirements for children in school and day care.

The proposed rule change would mean vaccinations against hepatitis A and B for kids in child care and early childhood programs, as well as immunizations against pertussis and meningococcal infections for seventh graders.

The vaccinations are part of national recommendations, state epidemiologist Kris Ehresmann said.

"The recommendations that we're making are really updating our immunization law so that it is consistent with the current national recommendations for vaccination," Ehresmann said.

The new state requirements will start in September 2014. There will be a public hearing on the proposed changes if the public requests one, Ehresmann said. Parents and students who wish to opt out of the vaccines for medical or other reasons may still do so under state law.

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