Parents will need to submit documentation, with dates, from a medical provider that their kindergartner either had chickenpox or two doses of the varicella vaccine that prevents children from getting chicken pox, according to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.

In the past, kindergartners needed only one vaccination dose.

Children in day care and preschoolers who are 16 months old or older will need to have had one dose of varicella; in the past the rule applied to children 19 months or older. State law requires kindergartners to have documentation on their Certificate of Immunization Status form of the following:

 • Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine – DTaP: Four doses, the last of which must have been given on or after the child’s fourth birthday.

 • Polio vaccine: Three doses if the last dose is given on or after the fourth birthday. Four doses if all doses are given before the fourth birthday.

 • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR): Two doses. The first dose must be given on or after the first birthday.

 • Hepatitis B: Three doses.

 • Varicella (chickenpox): Dates of two doses of vaccine, received on or after the child’s first birthday and at least 28 days apart; or a health care provider’s note giving diagnosis or verification of a history of varicella disease or herpes zoster; or date of blood test showing proof of immunity to varicella or herpes zoster; or exemption from immunity based on a medical, religious, or personal reason.

Immunizations can be obtained from a family physician or by contacting the Good Samaritan Mobile Health Service at 253-697-8160.

Debby Abe, The News Tribune