SACRAMENTO - With the new school year fast approaching, State Health Director Diana M. Bontá, RN, Dr.P.H., today urged parents to make sure their children are fully immunized before classes start.

"California children must be protected against infectious diseases like polio, measles, diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, rubella, tetanus, chickenpox, hepatitis B and Hib meningitis," said Bontá. "Complications from these diseases can be devastating to both kids and their families."

Before they begin the school year, kindergartners are required to have a total of five DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) shots, four polio shots, three hepatitis B shots, two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shots and one varicella (chickenpox) shot. Children entering seventh grade need the hepatitis B series and an MMR booster. Children in childcare must receive their immunizations at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 15 months.

The California Department of Health Services has been collaborating with the California Association of Health Plans, the California Department of Education, local health departments and schools throughout the state to get the word out to parents, health care providers and health plan members about school immunizations requirements.

"Schools and child care providers do an excellent job working with families to make sure children get the shots they need before school entry," said Bontá. "Last year was the first year that the chickenpox shot was required, and 97 percent of kindergarten students and 93 percent of child care entrants met the requirement."

Local health departments are offering expanded immunization clinics in August, National Immunization Awareness Month.

For more information on school immunization laws and vaccine-preventable diseases, parents should contact their physician, school nurse or local health department's immunization program. As with all school immunization laws, California provides an exemption for medical reasons and personal beliefs.

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