Falcon School District 49

Nursing Services

Dear Parents,

As the parent/guardian of a student entering kindergarten during the 2007-2008 school year, you need to be aware of recent changes in immunization requirements made by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment:

• Beginning with the start of next school year, Colorado will require a second dose of Varicella  (chickenpox) vaccine for all children entering kindergarten; OR
• If a child has had chickenpox disease, a laboratory test showing immunity (often called a titer) or documentation of disease history from a health care provider is necessary (in the past, all that was required was documentation from a parent – this will no longer be considered adequate proof that the child had chickenpox).

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU:

• Parents will need to provide the school with appropriate documentation from their child’s health care provider of either history of chickenpox disease or two Varicella vaccines before their child can attend kindergarten.
• Documentation of all other vaccinations previously required for kindergarten entry will also need to be provided to the school.
• You may wish to contact your child’s health care provider, The El Paso County Health Department (578-3199), or your child’s school health room if you have any questions regarding these changes mandated by the State of Colorado. Additional information can be found at the Colorado Department of Education.

Falcon School District Nurses

If immunizations are against your religious beliefs, you must sign the religious exemption on the reverse side of the CDPHE Certificate of Immunization.  If your child cannot be immunized for medical reasons, a physician must sign the medical exemption on the reverse side of the Certificate of Immunization.  If you have a personal belief opposed to immunizations, you must sign the personal exemption on the reverse side of the Certificate.