Wisconsin health professionals were surprised as some of the proposed changes to student immunization requirements for the 2023-24 school year were unexpectedly altered by the Legislature last week.
The Republican-controlled Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted to suspend:
- A requirement that students get a meningitis vaccine in seventh grade and a booster in 12th grade;
- A rule that a medical professional must verify a child’s previous case of chickenpox, instead of a parent verification, to exempt them from the vaccine requirement;
- Updates to the definition of a “substantial outbreak” of chickenpox and meningitis at schools and child care centers.
However, the required grade to get the tetanus vaccine will still be updated to by the start of seventh grade instead of the start of sixth grade for the 2023-24 school year, according to the Democrat-controlled Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The change in grade better aligns with the recommended age of 11 at which children should get the vaccine.
Schools will also have to provide reports of vaccine compliance to DHS in addition to their local health department. And outdated immunization provisions in the law will still be removed. Waivers are still available for any vaccine requirement for “personal conviction, religious, or medical/health reasons.”
Since the suspension was unexpected, DHS is quickly working on updated guidance and forms. The department plans to send them to WCRIS when available, according to recent correspondence.
WCRIS recommends waiting to update your policies for next year until more information is available. Stay tuned to Current Events.
