National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

By: Melanie Martin

The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

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. 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.

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.

students, facilitate the development, planning,

and construction of school facilities and capital improvements, and advance the safety and development of transportation.

Specifically, the following measures were vetted in the House Committee on Transportation during the regular session and passed final reading: a time when it’s most needed. Regular Session.

The potential economic impact of the enactment of this bill could be substantial by luring automobile manufacturers and software companies to Hawai‘i — developing new jobs and economic development at

HB 1676, HD1, SD2—This bill focuses on promoting public safety by establishing a photo red light imaging detector systems program by first allowing a two-year pilot to commence in the City and County of Honolulu and upon completion, may be implemented on a statewide basis on individual counties. All measures passing final reading are subject to Governor’s approval—with or without signature or veto.

The Legislature adjourned on July 10, 2020 following a condensed session of just 53 legislative days but nearly two months later than originally scheduled.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc globally and locally, the Legislature stands ready to further address Hawai‘i’s needs when necessary.

It also focuses on imposing monetary liability on the registered owner for any red light violations and requires the Department of Transportation to provide an annual report to the Legislature from 2021 to 2024.

HB 2590, HD2, SD2—This measure establishes within the Department of Transportation the Autonomous Vehicle Testing Pilot program to test and assess the feasibility and safety of autonomous vehicles in Hawai‘i and requires a report to the Legislature before the 2023 Lastly, I look forward to continuing our work together with the leadership and the various division staffs of the department on all transportation and related issues in the near future.