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�����Ƶ�The quality of our school and students�����Ƶ� overall health begins with immunizations,�����Ƶ� said Alicia Warden, head nurse of Kanawha County Schools. �����Ƶ�Our school nurses are on the front lines each and every school day willing to assist students with whatever they may need, and we know that making sure that student immunizations are up-to-date is an important part of our yearly process.�����Ƶ�

Staying updated

For the upcoming school year, all children entering grades K-12 in West Virginia must show proof of immunization. Unless they have a medical exemption, students need to be immunized against:

• Diphtheria
• Pertussis
• Tetanus
• Polio
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Varicella
• Hepatitis B

Additionally, children entering grades 7 and 12 must have proof of immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, and meningococcal disease, again, unless a medical exemption is approved.

�����Ƶ�Immunizations don�����Ƶ�t just protect our students and staff, but also our families and communities,�����Ƶ� said Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Tom Williams. �����Ƶ�We thank our families for making sure that their immunizations are up-to-date before coming back to school.�����Ƶ�

In April, West Virginia confirmed its first measles case in Monongalia County, leading to potential exposure of 128 residents from 30 counties and 24 out-of-state contacts from four neighboring states. The Department of Health�����Ƶ�s Bureau for Public Health and local health departments successfully mitigated a potential measles outbreak through contact tracing and other control activities, underscoring the importance of immunizations in preventing such scenarios.

�����Ƶ�The final weeks of summer are an ideal time to schedule back-to-school immunizations for our students,�����Ƶ� said Department of Health Secretary Dr. Sherri Young. �����Ƶ�Immunizations are crucial in preventing severe and potentially fatal illnesses. Measles, in particular, poses serious health risks, especially for our most vulnerable children.�����Ƶ�

The Department of Health has also introduced a new resource for residents needing their vaccination records, allowing people to review their immunization history and print official records via .

�����Ƶ�Accessing your child�����Ƶ�s immunization records has never been simpler,�����Ƶ� added State Health Officer Dr. Matthew Christiansen. �����Ƶ�While MyIRMobile offers convenient online access, we encourage individuals with questions to consult their pediatrician or primary care provider.�����Ƶ�

Backed by school nurses

The National �����Ƶsociation of School Nurses (NASN) supports the vital role of immunizations in primary disease prevention from infancy through adulthood.

�����Ƶ�It is the position of the National �����Ƶsociation of School Nurses that immunizations are essential to primary prevention of disease from infancy through adulthood and that childhood vaccinations are an effective way of preventing serious childhood illnesses,�����Ƶ� the NASN said in a statement. The organization advocates for the elimination of all exemptions except those necessary for valid medical reasons.

School nurses use evidence-based strategies such as School Located Vaccine (SLV) clinics, reminders for parents about vaccine schedules, and state immunization information systems. These measures ensure students, staff and families are educated about and compliant with vaccination recommendations.

For comprehensive details on West Virginia�����Ƶ�s immunization requirements, visit the pages at . There are details there for new students and students entering grades 7-12.