Immunizations

State law requires children to be immunized against certain diseases that can be prevented by vaccinations before attending a school. Parents and guardians meet this requirement by filling out and turning in a certificate of immunization status (CIS) form, showing their child has the required vaccinations (or that they have already had the illness and are now immune). For more information on school immunization requirements in the state of Washington, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.

Certificate of Immunization Form (English) Certificate of Immunization Form (Spanish)

 

If parents and guardians choose to exempt their child from one or more of the required vaccines, they must fill out a certificate of exemption form. Information on the exemption process can be found on the Washington State Department of Health website.

Certificate of Exemption Form (English) Certificate of Exemption Form (Spanish)

Is your adolescent protected from serious diseases?

Some baby immunizations do not last a lifetime and your child may need additional shots to stay protected and healthy. Doctors recommend Tdap, MCV, and HPV vaccines to protect your adolescent and teenage children.

  • Tdap: This vaccine prevents tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis ("whooping cough"). Pertussis causes a cough that lasts for months and may make it hard to eat, drink, or breathe.
  • MCV: This vaccine prevents meningococcal disease, which is a serious infection that can lead to brain damage and death.
  • HPV: This vaccines prevents human papiloma virus, the main cause of cervical cancer.

Public health recommends that all children have a health check-up each year. For help finding a doctor or healthcare provider, call the Family Health Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.

MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AND PREVENTION

As of July 2005, schools in Washington are required to make information available on Meningococcal diseases and reducing your student’s risk of contracting HPV to parents or guardians of all students entering Grades 6-12.

Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial infection. Fortunately, this life-threatening illness is rare, with only 20-50 cases reported each year in Washington. Symptoms of the disease may include fever, cough, rash, and headaches. It can cause meningitis (swelling of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). The disease spreads through close contact with an infected person. Teens and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal disease, especially if they live in a group setting like college dorms.

How to Protect Your Child from Meningococcal Disease

The meningococcal vaccine, or MCV4, prevents against four types of the disease. It is recommended for all children between 11 and 12 years of age, and again at 16 to 18 years of age. This meningococcal vaccine is not required for school attendance.

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) AND PREVENTION

HPV is a common virus. Most people exposed to HPV will never develop health issues. But for others, HPV causes major health problems including cervical, anal, vulvar, mouth and, throat cancer. Most infected people have no symptoms and may spread the virus without knowing it. HPV spreads mainly through sexual contact.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM HPV

Make sure your child gets the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is highly effective. The best time to get it is before sexual activity ever starts. The HPV vaccine can prevent infection from some of the most common and serious types of HPV that cause cancer and genital warts. The vaccine does not get rid of existing infections. Three doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls starting at ages 11 to 12. It is recommended for females up to age 26 and men up to age 21. The HPV vaccine is not required for school attendance in Washington.

WHERE TO FIND MENINGOCOCCAL AND HPV VACCINES

Ask your doctor or nurse, or call Snohomish Health District, (425) 339-5200

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE, HPV, VACCINES, AND CERVICAL CANCER

Washington State Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

American Cancer Society