By Ray Still
rstill@courierherald.com

Before they start classes this fall, area high school students must already have received their two doses of chickenpox vaccine.

This will mark the end of a nine-year, Washington State Department of Health chickenpox vaccine implementation plan that started requiring kindergarten students to get their second chickenpox vaccine dose in the 2008-2009 school year.

Every year the next grade level was required to get their two doses of chickenpox vaccine before starting school until the 2015-2016 school year, when 7th and 8th graders were required to get their vaccines, said DOH spokesman Dave Johnson.

Now it’s the big kids’ turn, and hence forth, students at all grade levels must have their two doses of chickenpox vaccine before starting classes.

Johnson said it’s difficult for the DOH to tell if the increase in vaccines is reducing the number of Washington kids who catch chickenpox, especially with the new vaccine requirements.

“However, this requirement is based on national recommendations that take into account not only the spread of chickenpox but the increased risk of shingles (herpes zoster) for adults who had chickenpox as children,” Johnson wrote in an email interview. “So, there are long term impacts of contracting chickenpox that must be taken into account.”

Students do not have  to be vaccinated if they have already had two doses of the vaccine, have had chickenpox in the past, or have had a blood test showing they are immune.

“We are strongly encouraging parents to get students of all ages into a provider’s office as soon as possible to get up to date on their required vaccines and avoid a rush before school,” Johnson concluded.

Jan Schneider, Auburn School District’s lead nurse, said she does not have data on how many high school students do not have their second dose of the vaccine. But Schneider said schools have produced newsletters, and the district has posted information on its website to get the word out about the changing guidelines.

For those that need of vaccinations, Schneider said there is one at South Hill Mall at a kiosk near the Old Country Buffet that is free. Immunizations for children are available from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday at that location, which is about 15 miles south of Auburn.

According to the DOH, parents can get free vaccines for all kids up to 19 years old through health care providers participating in the state’s Childhood Vaccine Program.

However, participating providers may charge for the office visit and an administration fee to give the vaccine.

People who can’t afford the administration fee can ask for it to be waived.

– Chris Chancellor contributed to this report