Local News

New Rules About Vaccinations for MI Kids

Thu 7/29/10 5:35PM

It won't be very long before the back-to-school rush begins across the U.P.
Along with clothes and classroom supplies, now might be a good time to check your child's immunizations.
There are new requirements in Michigan concerning schoolchildren this year.
These will affect children entering kindergarten, entering 6th grade or starting school in a different district from last year.
Dr. Kevin Piggott of the Marquette County Health Department says one of them involves the chicken pox vaccine.
He says kids must have two doses of the varicella vaccine unless they have a clinical history of having had chicken pox.
In 1996, the state implemented the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry as a clearinghouse to help families and physicians keep a computerized track of each child's shot record.
In addition to the state required immunizations, there are vaccines recommended for children.
Your local health department or doctor's office will have that information.