ST. PAUL, Minn. (Oct. 31, 2013) — New immunization requirements adopted by the Minnesota Department of Public Health will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2014. The new rules will bring the state’s immunizations law up-to-date with current nationwide recommendations and practices.
Changes for children in childcare and grades PreK-12 include:
- Hepatitis A and B vaccination for children enrolling in child care or early childhood programs.
- Replacement of the current seventh-grade tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination with one that also includes pertussis (Tdap).
- Meningococcal vaccination for secondary students, beginning in seventh grade.
The proposed rules went through a public hearing and were approved by Governor Dayton and State Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger. The changes were supported by many state and local public health agencies, including the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Minnesota Child Care Association, Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association, the March of Dimes, and local public health agencies.
The new rules will not affect current medical exemption rules or the option for parents to decline any or all vaccines for conscientious reasons. More details can be found on the MinnesotaDepartment of Health immunizations website.
