The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recently revised the Day Care Immunization Rule, 19 CSR 20-28.040.

Effective July 1, 2010 the following new requirements will be implemented for incoming enrollees:




• Age appropriate pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) for children attending day care, preschool, or nursery schools caring for ten or more children. Age appropriate refers to the right or suitable age for which a particular vaccine is recommended.



• For all children who have had varicella (chickenpox) disease, a licensed doctor of medicine (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) may sign and place on file with the child care facility a written statement documenting the month and year of previous varicella (chickenpox) disease as satisfactory evidence of having had the disease. Parental or guardian statements of disease will no longer be acceptable beginning July 1, 2010.



It is important to emphasize to parents that children should receive all immunizations recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP schedules can be obtained at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm.



Enclosed is a chart of the immunization requirements. For additional information, contact the Bureau of Immunization Assessment and Assurance at (573) 751-6124.