Hearings on school vaccine rules set for neighbor islands

The Department of Health will hold hearings in December on the neighbor islands to seek public input on proposed changes to immunization requirements for school attendance.

“We decided that hearings should be conducted statewide based on the interest around these changes,” Health Director Bruce Anderson said following a lively hearing Nov. 1 on Oahu that attracted both proponents and opponents.

The new vaccine schedule aims to update Hawaii regulations, which date to 2001, to reflect current recommendations from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention. They include newer vaccines, such as HPV to protect against human papillomavirus, that are now given to adolescents.

Written comments are being accepted statewide by email to immunization@doh.hawaii.gov until 4 p.m. Dec. 26. Oral and written comments will be given equal weight.

“The proposed changes will update our rules to align with current CDC recommendations for childhood and adolescent vaccinations and reflect what is already occurring in health care provider offices and clinics as standard medical practice,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “We appreciate the public’s interest and encourage them to attend the upcoming hearings to provide their comments to us.”

If approved, the school vaccination schedule would add an adolescent series, including HPV, meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) and Tdap, which protects against tetanus, pertussis and diptheria. Those shots would be required for students entering in grade 7 and up.

Children in preschool or child care will need to have hepatitis A and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), which are currently given routinely along with the vaccines that were required in 2001.

“We are going to public hearings to allow for the opportunity for feedback,” said Ron Balajadia, immunization branch chief. “We are gathering and collecting information, and from there the department will look to make the final decision.”

The majority of Hawaii students in public and private schools are up to date with immunizations, but a small number seek religious or medical exemptions.

GET INVOLVED

Here is the schedule of hearings on proposed changed to immunization requirements:

>> Maui: Dec. 14, 2 to 4 p.m., Wailuku State Office Building, 54 S. High St., Wailuku

>> Molokai: (via videoconference from Maui), Dec. 14, 2 to 4 p.m., Room 107, Department of Health, 65 Makaena Place, Kaunakakai

>> Lanai: Dec. 18, 1 to 3 p.m., Lanai Public and School Library, 555 Fraser Ave.

>> Hilo: Dec. 20, 9 to 11 a.m., Hilo State Office Building, 75 Aupuni St.

>> Kailua-Kona: Dec. 20, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., West Hawaii Civic Center Meeting Hale, Building G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway

>> Kauai: Dec. 21, 2 to 4 p.m., Kauai District Health Office Conference Room, 3040 Umi St., Lihue.

To compare the old and new requirements, see 808ne.ws/2compare. For details on the hearings and links to the full rules, visit 808ne.ws/2immunize.