Alaska changes school registration, immunization rules

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Alaska changed its immunization requirements for all elementary school-age children in kindergarten through 6th grade.

The new rule requires parents who register their children in on or after July 1 must have already received two doses of the chickenpox or varicella vaccine. Those children being registered for pre-school must have had at least one dose of the vaccine.

Chickenpox, until recently, was a common childhood disease. It causes itching, rash, high fever, and tiredness. Chickenpox can be easily spread from person to person through the air, for example by coughing or sneezing, or by contact with the fluid in a blister. The chickenpox vaccine has been licensed since 1995. It prevents 70-90 percent of the population from getting chickenpox and 95 percent from getting severe chickenpox. It's expected to provide lifelong immunity.

It is recommended that a child's first dose of chickenpox vaccine be given between 15-18 months old. The second dose may be given on or after the child's fourth birthday.

All Anchorage School District students must present a copy of their immunization record during school registration. If a child has had chickenpox, parents are asked to bring a copy of their medical record reflecting this information. Starting July 1, ASD will only accept this medical information on the official state form. The state form must be medically verified by a healthcare provider. This will be accepted as proof that your child has had the disease. The state forms are available at all Elmendorf and Fort Richardson schools, the Pediatric and Immunization Clinics and "Teddy Watch" at the 3rd Medical Group. The Flight Medicine Clinic, located across from the Northrim Bank, and the Elmendorf Child Development Centers also have the forms.

For convenience, there are numerous locations on base where a child can receive a chickenpox immunization:

April 29: 11:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. at Mt. Spurr Elementary
May 4: 1-3:30 p.m. at Orion Elementary (Mt. Iliamna Elementary children will be sent to Orion Elementary.)
May 7: 11:15 a.m.-2:25 p.m. at Aurora Elementary

Additionally, the 3rd Medical Group's annual picnic takes place 9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 12 at Paxton Park near the Government Hill Gate. All immunizations will be available for children at this event. All military dependents are also eligible. Parents must bring the child's military ID and a printed copy of their immunization record. Parents may obtain a copy of their immunization record from either the Immunization or Pediatric Clinic's at the 3rd Medical Group.

Parents may also bring their child to either the Elmendorf Pediatric Clinic 1-4 p.m. or the Immunizations Clinic 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. during normal duty days. For more details, call the Immunization Clinic at 580-5812 to speak with a staff member. (Courtesy of the 3rd Medical Group)