Student Health
Policy for Student Medication at School
St. Louise follows WA State code that all student medications must have a completed Authorization for Medication form signed by both the child’s physician and parent. This policy applies to both prescription and all over the counter medications such as anti-histamines, cough drops Tylenol etc. The completed Authorization for Medication form (link at left) and medications must be turned into the health room where they will be kept and administered by staff only.
Immunization Policy
The state requires that any child entering school in Washington must present to the school evidence of immunization. The school office should receive from every parent a copy of each child’s immunization form with the specific dates of immunization. Furthermore, parents of children in the following specific grade levels must take care of the following immunization requirements:
A) Parents of all incoming Pre-K and Kindergarteners need to make sure their child's immunizations are up to date. Students in preschool or kindergarten, who are four years old or older on September 1st are required to have the additional dose of DTaP, IPV, MMR and varicella vaccines. Schools do not need to monitor students who turn four during the school year. Students between the ages of 4 and 5 on September 1st will also need PCV and Hib vaccines for school entry. Students with summer birthdays will have less time to get vaccinated before the start of school. Parents should plan ahead and schedule their child’s vaccination appointment before the school year starts.
B) For parents of all incoming 7th graders, the state requires a booster Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). If their 7th grader receives any immunizations after submitting their initial immunization form, this updated information is to be forward to our school nurse to update the child's form we have on file.
The Archdiocese of Seattle updated its policies in 2020. While Washington State allows exemptions for immunizations, the Archdiocese, following the Catholic Church’s support of immunization for the good of all, no longer accepts religious, personal, or philosophical exemptions in our Catholic schools. According to state law, an individual may be exempt from required vaccinations if he /she is an active member of a religious body whose beliefs and teachings precludes vaccination. This is not the case for Catholic institutions. There is nothing in Catholic moral teachings, which would hold that the use of vaccines is immoral and/or sinful. Therefore, it is the policy of the Archdiocese of Seattle that all students must meet all vaccination requirements of the State of Washington as a condition for admission and attendance at our Catholic schools. Accordingly, requests for exemptions based on religious beliefs will not be considered in any Catholic schools of this archdiocese. Immunizations are not in conflict with the Catholic faith.
Medical exemptions are still allowed with a Washington State form on file. The Archdiocese honors all five types of health care providers who can sign a medical exemption form - a qualified MD, ND, DO, ARNP, or PA licensed in Washington State.
Prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Seattle, students must present proof of having had the immunizations as required by Washington State law. Every student enrolled in a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Seattle shall be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases caused by infectious agents in accordance with the immunization schedule adopted by the Washington State Department of Health Services. The only exception to the foregoing requirements for students in our Catholic schools is a medical exemption signed by one of the five types of acceptable health care providers. Washington State law and guidelines require that:
A. Students are fully vaccinated against the specified diseases or have the acceptable Certificate of Exemption on file.
B. All immunizations/exemptions are completed by the first date of attendance.
C. A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age/grade-appropriate vaccine (required by this rule).
D. A student may remain enrolled if the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series are taken on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible.
E. A representative school nurse or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance; if at the end of the 30 day period, the student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, and thus is not in compliance, the school may exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered and proof of immunization has been provided to the school.