Immunizations & Medical

IMMUNIZATION ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE

No child shall be admitted to Emanuel County Schools unless the child has submitted a certificate of immunization.

Before starting the school year, all students born on or after January 1, 2002 and entering or transferring into 7th grade will need proof of a whooping cough booster shot and a meningococcal shot.

The Certificate of Immunization is a form provided by the Department of Human Resources.  It is issued by a physician licensed under the laws of Georgia or by a local board of health (Health Department).

The principal/superintendent may grant a 30 calendar day waiver of the immunization certificate provided documentation is provided by physician or the Health Department that the immunizations are in process.

A certificate for a child who is in the process of receiving all required vaccines must have a date of expiration that relates to the date the next required immunization is due or the date on which a medical exemption must be reviewed.  A new certificate must then be obtained and submitted to the school or facility within 30 days after expiration date.  Children whose parents fail to renew said certificates within the time allotted shall not be permitted to continue in attendance.

Effective with the school year 2007 – 2008, for entrance into grade six in Georgia Schools, a child must have two (2) doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine on or after the first birthday.

Georgia's immunization requirements for students entering or transferring into the eleventh grade have been revised to align with the current recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

Effective July 1, 2021, children 16 years of age and older, who are entering the 11th grade (including new entrants), must have received one booster dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), unless their initial dose was administered on or after their 16th birthday.

Requirements for the hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines may be waived with serologic proof of immunity. Requirements for varicella vaccine may be waived also with history of medical diagnosis of disease or parent or guardian description of disease that has been interpreted as valid by the certifying authority.

A tetanus and pertussis booster is needed at age 14 or entry into high school (grade 9). The principal/superintendent may grant a maximum of 90 calendar day waiver with the documentation provided by the physician or the Health Department:  1) Specifying that an immunization sequence has been started and that this immunization time schedule can be completed within the 90 day waiver period, 2) Provided confirmation is received during the waiver period from the Health Department or physician that immunizations are being received as scheduled, and 3)  Provided the student under waiver is a transfer student (moves to Georgia from another state) or a student entering kindergarten or first grade from out of state.

The waiver may not be extended beyond 90 calendar days; and upon expiration of the waiver, the child shall not be permitted to attend school unless the child submits a certificate of immunization.

If parent/legal guardian objects to immunization of the child on the grounds of religious beliefs, the parent/guardian must furnish a notarized affidavit which certifies that the immunization requirement conflicts with the religious beliefs.

Immunization may be required by the system should a disease be in an epidemic stage in the school/system. During an epidemic or a threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by an immunization required by the Department of Human Resources, children who have not been immunized may be excluded from the school until (1) they are immunized against the disease unless they present valid evidence of prior disease, or (2) the epidemic or threat no longer constitutes a significant health danger. Out of state students must meet all requirements for Georgia Immunization and the documentation must be provided on the Georgia Certificate of Immunization Form as provided by Rule 290-5-4-.04, or a Certificate of Immunization indicating medical exemption as provided by Rule 290-5-4.05.

Code Section Code 20-2-771 and Chapter 290-5-4 (Rules of DHR and PH)

Please direct your questions to child’s school nurse

 

PROCEDURES FOR MEDICATION IN SCHOOLS

Emanuel County Schools acknowledge that some students may require medication during the school day.  School system personnel will administer medications in accordance with law and system procedures.  Whenever possible, parents/guardians are encouraged to administer their child’s medications before and after school hours. Appropriate forms will be sent home the first day of school.  Medications will not be given one hour prior to school dismissal time.

Parent/Guardian Authorization/Consent

1. Parent/Guardian consent is required for each medication (prescription and non-prescription) to be administered to a student.
2. Regardless of whether prescription or non-prescription, parent/guardian must complete an “Authorization of Medication Administration” form for each medication.  A new “Authorization of Medication Administration” form must be completed for any change in dosage of existing medication.
3. Medication will be administered according to prescription pharmacy label unless the prescribing physician has submitted a written change order to the school nurse.
4. Non-prescription medications will be administered according to labeling directions on the original container.
5. New “Authorization of Medication Administration” forms must be completed each school year even if the medications remain the same.  

Delivery of Medication to School

Prescription medication must be delivered to the school in its original container with the original pharmacy label containing the student’s name, date, name of the medication, dosage, and expiration date.  (Medications arriving in baggies, envelopes, or other types of packaging will NOT be accepted.)  A signed physician’s statement or order is required in addition to the parent’s/guardian’s signature.

Non-prescription medication must be delivered to the school in its original container with manufacturer’s directions clearly visible.  (Medication arriving in baggies, envelopes, or other types of packaging will NOT be accepted.

It is recommended that parent/guardian obtain a second container/bottle of medication from the pharmacy (one for home and one labeled for school) as medication will NOT be sent home with students.

Physician’s Order Requirement

A signed physician’s order is required for the administration of prescription medication to a student.

Because aspirin and aspirin containing products have been linked to Reye’s syndrome, aspirin and other salicylates (Pepto-Bismol, Excedrin, Alka-Seltzer, etc.) will NOT be administered to students without a written order from a physician and permission from the parent/guardian.

A physician’s order will be required for non-prescription medication to be administered more than twice a day OR for more than three consecutive days.

Alternative medications such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or dietary supplements will NOT be administered by school personnel unless prescribed by a physician.

Self-Administration of Asthma Medication/ Epi-Pen

A student with a diagnosis of asthma or a severe allergic reaction is permitted to possess and self-administer inhaled asthma medication or an Epi-Pen during the school day, at school sponsored activities, or while on the school bus or other school property after physician and parent/guardian approval.  The parent/guardian of the student, the student, and the prescribing physician must complete the “Authorization for Student to Carry a Prescription Inhaler or Epi-Pen” form and return it to the school nurse.

Permission for self-administration of asthma inhalers/Epi-Pens is effective for one school year and must be renewed yearly.

Inhalers must be marked in permanent ink with the student’s name.  Epi-Pens must contain the pharmacy label and directions for the student.

Parents are encouraged to provide to the schools duplicate medication and supplies in the event a student is unable to self-administer or fails to bring the medication or equipment to school.

Per Georgia Senate Bill 126, nurses and other school employees are able to stock and administer an Epi-pen to a student or faculty member who is having an actual or perceived anaphylactic (allergic) reaction, regardless of whether the student or faculty member has a prescription for epinephrine. Such persons are authorized to administer Levalbuterol Sulfate (Xopenex) or Albuterol Sulfate, if available, to a student or faculty member in perceived respiratory distress, regardless of whether the student or faculty member has a prescription for Levalbuterol Sulfate (Xopenex) or Albuterol Sulfate. Any school employee who in good faith administers or chooses not to administer such medication to a student or faculty member in such circumstances shall be immune from civil liability.

Disposal of Medications

The responsibility of the parent/guardian is to pick up their child’s medication (prescription and non-prescription) by the end of the school year.  For safety reasons, medications will NOT be sent home with students.  A written reminder will be sent home with students that have medication at school.  If medication has not been picked up by the last day of school, the school nurse will dispose of and document the disposal of the medications.

Students with Diabetes

An individualized health plan will be developed for each student in coordination with the treating physician and the needs of the student.

Caution about Drugs

Students and parents/guardians should be aware that the sale, transfer (to include giving away, or making available in any manner), possession, or use of any drugs/medications or created appearance of drug/medication except as outlined above is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

Specialized Health Procedures

A physicians’ order and parent/guardian consent are required for specialized health procedures (catheterizations, tube feedings, ostomy care, etc.).  The parent/guardian is responsible for furnishing all equipment, supplies, medications, formulas, or other items necessary for the administration of the procedure and to provide replacements and maintenance as necessary.