Nurse's Corner

Required Vaccines

State law requires children to be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases to attend school in Texas. Getting your child vaccinated protects your child's health and that of the community.

Students cannot go to school without the appropriate documentation for the required vaccines or a valid medical or conscientious exemption.

Information for Parents

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/public/parents

2024 - 2025 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Childcare and Pre-k Facilities

• https://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Immunizations/pdf/pdf_stock/6-15.pdf

2024 - 2025 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K - 12

http://www.dshs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/LIDS-Immunizations/pdf/pdf_stock/6-14.pdf

All medications must be brought to the school clinic and reviewed by the school nurse and/or health services personnel upon arrival to the school. All medications will be given according to state and district policy. All medications must be in the original container and properly labeled - both prescription and nonprescription. Only those medications that are necessary for a student's medical care and that cannot be given outside of school hours will be administered. No student is allowed to carry medication unless it is for emergency use only and has written authorization from the student physician present in the clinic.

According to the Nurse Practice Act, the school nurse may refuse to give any medication or specified dosage that may be considered not in the best interest of the student.

All medication administration, treatment and procedures must have a written doctor's orders must be renewed and presented to the school clinic at the beginning of each school year. At the end of the school year all medications will be returned to you. All medications not picked up by the last school day will be discarded.

Forms can be found on CHISD website in the Health Services Department tab.

How can I help keep my child from getting sick at school?

Regular hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and keep your child healthy. Children (and adults) should wash their hands:

• After sneezing or blowing their nose
• After touching doorknobs, desks and handrails
• After using the bathroom
• Before and after eating

Believe it or not, you'll need to teach your child proper hand washing. This includes scrubbing the front and back of their hands and between their fingers for at least 20 seconds – or as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song. If soap and water aren't easily available, your child can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Tip: Clip a small bottle of hand sanitizer to your child's backpack so they always have some at school.

It's also important to show your child how to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow. Why? Because respiratory infections easily spread through droplets in the air.

Tip: If there are a lot of viruses going around at school or in your community, consider having your child wear a mask.

The following is a list of some of the common ailments a child may have. If your child is ill, you may want to discuss these problems with your child’s pediatrician to determine if an office visit is needed.

Fever - If your child has a temperature at 100 degrees or over, without medication, and when accompanied by sore throat, nausea, vomiting, upper respiratory, flu-like symptoms, or a rash, a contagious illness is suspected and they should remain at home. He/she should remain at home until fever and/or symptom free for twenty-four hours without medication.

Vomiting & Diarrhea - A single episode of vomiting or diarrhea without accompanied fever may not be enough reason to miss school. However, children with watery diarrhea (loose runny stool or cannot get to the bathroom in time) should remain at home for 24 hours. If diarrhea or vomiting is frequent, more than once and/or accompanied by fever, keep the child home and consult your doctor.

Runny Nose & Coughing - A minor cold or allergy symptoms (stuffy nose with clear drainage, sneezing, and mild cough) should not be a reason to miss school. If your child’s cough is persistent or productive and accompanied by thick or constant nasal drainage, and/or a fever, then he/she should be kept home.

Sore Throat - onset of a sore throat accompanied by a fever or difficulty swallowing may indicate a doctor visit. If the doctor diagnoses strep throat, the student must remain home for 24 hours after antibiotic treatment has begun.

Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) - if your child’s eyes are mildly red and watery and no other symptoms are present; this may indicate irritation or allergy. However, if your child’s eyes are markedly red (including under the eyelids) and accompanied by thick, yellow or green drainage, crusting or child complains that they cannot open his/her eyes they may have pink eye or conjunctivitis. This condition can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or allergies – only a doctor can determine the cause. Viral or Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious. It is spread when a child rubs his/her eyes, then touches another student or an object that another student uses, and that student then rubs his/her eyes. For this reason, your child should remain home until treatment has begun or the symptoms are gone.