Chickenpox vaccine required for all Spokane students

All students in Spokane Public Schools will need two chickenpox vaccine doses by the first day of school this fall.

The two-dose policy is mandated by Washington state law, said Alexandra Hayes, immunization outreach coordinator for the Spokane Regional Health District.

K-8 students were already required to have the vaccine at the start of the 2015-16 year. Now, all students must have the vaccine, she said.

Hayes said school districts have been aware of the requirement for the past year.

“It’s just because of the nasty, nasty complications that can happen with the chickenpox,” Hayes said.

Chickenpox can lead to scarring, immune system issues and bacterial infections, she said.

Kevin Morrison, district spokesman, said 1,893 students don’t have the necessary vaccinations. Families can still apply for an exemption, Morrison said.

“We’ve really upped our game on following through with people,” Morrison said.

Throughout the remainder of this school year, Morrison said, the district will notify parents and students. As the deadline approaches, the district will contact unvaccinated families directly. Students who have already had two doses won’t need to repeat.

Hayes said the statewide K-12 chickenpox vaccination exemption rate was 2.9 percent for 2014-15. Spokane County’s exemption rate was 4.6 percent.