August is National Immunization Awareness Month By: Melanie Martin The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month.
Hawai‘i for the first time must have a completed health record form to document that a physical examination was performed within one year before childcare facility or school entrance, and that all immunization requirements have been met.
August is also when most of our children go back to school, whether physically, virtually, or a hybrid of both. Hawai‘i law requires all students to meet physical examination, immunization, and tuberculosis clearance requirements, before they can attend a childcare facility, preschool, or public/private school in the State.
Schools will accept a child on the first day of school if they have an appointment to see their doctor to complete the health record form.
Effective July 1, 2020, there are additional immunization requirements for students entering preschool, Kindergarten, 7th grade, post-secondary school, and all new students to the state (regardless of age). These new requirements conform with current national recommendations and reflect what occurs in Hawai‘i health care provider’s offices and clinics as standard medical practice. By the first day of school, all students entering childcare, preschool, or school in
Students must also have a completed TB clearance form. Students who have not completed the above requirements by the first day of school will not be allowed to attend school until these requirements are met. For more information, visit the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Health, Immunization Branch, at https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/ vaccines-immunizations/school-healthrequirements/sy-20-21.
August 21, 1959 Hawai‘i was admitted as the last state to join the United States of America.
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