New Students Need Proof of Inoculations

Children entering Los Angeles city schools for the first time this year must have written proof of inoculations against eight diseases, the Los Angeles Unified School District has announced.

A student’s medical records must be authorized or signed by a public health clinic, health-care provider or private physician and must indicate inoculations against polio, mumps, rubeola, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.

Parents must also present proof that their child has been tested for tuberculosis in the past 12 months. A chest X-ray is required for children who test positive, though they will be admitted to school while the results are examined by a doctor.

Immunizations are required of all district pupils, including students in preschool and child-development programs. Children between 2 months and 4 1/2 years must also be inoculated against Haemophilus influenza, Type B.

Proof of all immunizations must be presented in writing before children can attend school. Parents should bring their children’s medical records to school during the preregistration period.

LAUSD schools will open for preregistration between Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. School will begin at most campuses either Sept. 4 or Sept. 10.

“We don’t want any child to be kept out of school for a lack of immunizations,” said Virginia Hayes, the district’s director of School Nursing Services. “We feel it’s important to make every effort we can to ensure that a child’s health--and the health of his or her family and classmates--is protected.”