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New Kansas School Immunization Requirements

Date: 08/08/19

Immunization Changes Effective August 2

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recently announced changes to the immunizations required for Kansas school children.

Changes for 2019-20 school year:

  • Students entering kindergarten and first grade for the 2019-2020 school year now need two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine.
  • Students entering seventh grade  for the 2019-2020 school year need one dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
  • Students entering eleventh grade need one dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine if not vaccinated prior to their 16th birthday. They will need two doses if their first dose was before their 16th birthday.

KDHE has made a quick reference guide available here: www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/Immunization_Requirements_2019-2020_School_Year_Quick_Reference.pdf

Immunizations and HEDIS

Sunflower recommends that providers continue to adhere to HEDIS immunization schedules, which will also ensure our members are vaccinated by the ages/grades required for school and child care attendance. As a reminder, please see the related HEDIS specifications below:

Childhood Immunizations Combo 10

From the HEDIS 2020 Specifications for MY2019, the goal on childhood immunizations is that children would have the following vaccinations by their 2nd birthday:

  • Four diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccinations
  • Three polio (IPV) vaccinations
  • One measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination
  • Three haemophilus influenza type B (HiB) vaccinations
  • Three hepatitis B (HepB) vaccinations
  • One chicken pox (VZV) vaccination
  • Four pneumococcal (PCV) vaccinations
  • One hepatitis A (HepA) vaccination
  • Two or three rotavirus (RV) vaccinations
  • Two influenza (flu) vaccinations

Adolescent Immunizations Combo 2

From HEDIS 2020 Specifications for MY 2019, the goal of adolescent immunizations is that members would have the following vaccinations by their 13th birthday:

  • One tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination
  • One meningococcal vaccination
  • Complete the HPV vaccination series
    • At least two vaccinations with dates of service at least 146 days apart between member’s 9th and 13th birthdays, or
    • At least three vaccinations with different dates of service on or between the member’s 9th and 13th birthdays

If you have questions about this bulletin or other provider resources, please contact your Provider Relations Representative or call Customer Service at 1-877-644-4623.