When Physicals are required
Physicals (also called “Heath Assessments”) are required for:·
all new students
· all students entering preschool
· all students entering kindergarten
· all students entering 7th grade, please complete during grade 6
year
· all students entering 11th grade, please complete during grade
10 year
· students participating in athletics in grades 9 through 12
In accordance with the Connecticut General Statues, Section
10-206, the Health Assessment must be performed by a legally
qualified physician, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or
physician's assistance (PA) who works with an MD, in the twelve (12)
months prior to the student's enrollment (15 months for grades 7 and
11). In Connecticut, a "legally qualified physician " includes MDs
and ODs. It does not include chiropractors, naturopaths, or
homeopaths.
Students may not enter school without a completed health
assessment.
The Physical/Health Assessment Form (also called the “blue form”
or the “HAR-3”)
The health assessment must be documented on the State
Department of Education's required HAR-3 or "blue form, " and must
include, but is not limited to, the following:
· state mandated immunizations
· hemoglobin or hematocrit
· blood pressure, height, and weight
· vision, hearing, dental, and postural screenings
· risk assessment for tuberculosis (If student is in a high-risk
group, a Mantoux test for tuberculosis sensitivity must be been
administered within the 12 months prior to school entry. It must
also be administered at least 48 hours before school entry, since it
takes that long before the results can be determined.)
The completed and signed health assessment form
must be submitted to the school nurse prior to school entry,
preferably before June 15th, but no later than August 15th.
A scanned version of the health assessment form will be accepted
only if it is printed on blue paper (for legal and record
maintenance purposes).
Attachments cannot be accepted, so be sure that the immunization
dates are written directly on the blue form.
Families who may require financial assistance in order to obtain
a health assessment for their child should contact the school nurse.
If a parent or legal guardian objects on religious grounds
to either the health assessment or to immunizations, the school
nurse must receive a signed statement to that effect prior to the
start of school. The Immunization Exemptions and
Exclusions-From-School form must also be completed and
submitted.
If an immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons,
a written statement from the physician, including the reason for
deferment, must be submitted to the school nurse prior to school
entry.
Month, Day and Year must be recorded for each dose:
1. DIPTHERIA, TETANUS, PERTUSSIS (DTaP, DTP) – Five (5) doses,
unless the last dose was given after the fourth birthday, in which
case four is adequate.
2. POLIO (IPV) – Four (4) doses unless the third dose was given
after the fourth birthday, in which case three may be accepted.
3. MEASLES – Two (2) doses, the first one given on or after the
first birthday and a second dose prior to entering kindergarten.
4. MUMPS – One (1) dose given on or after the first birthday.
5. RUBELLA – One (1) dose given on or after the first birthday.
6. HEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B (HIB) – One (1) dose given on or
after the first birthday if entering school prior to age five years;
not required for students age five years and older.
7. VARICELLA (Chicken Pox) – One (1) dose given on or after the
student’s first birthday and before the thirteenth birthday, OR two
(2) doses given at least 4 weeks apart if the first dose was given
on or after the thirteenth birthday OR a signed statement from the
student’s physician indicating that the student has already had
Chicken Pox. All students born January 1, 1997 or later entering
preschool or kindergarten and all students entering the 7th grade
must show proof of immunization OR immunity to varicella. Proof of
immunity is a signed statement from the student’s physician
indicating that the student has had a confirmed case of Chicken Pox
or confirmation by specific blood test conducted by a certified
laboratory.
8. HEPATITIS B (HBV) – Three (3) doses*, the second dose given at
least 4 weeks after the first (6 weeks if Hib-containing combination
vaccine is used), and the third dose given at least 8 weeks after
the second dose and 16 weeks after the first. All new students born
1/1/94 or later must have the full series. Students born after
1/1/94 who are entering the 7th grade, must show proof of at least
one dose of Hepatitis B vaccine, and all students entering the 8th
grade must show proof of three doses*.
*Students immunized between the ages of 11-15 years with Merck’s
2-dose adolescent hepatitis B vaccine (brand name Recombivax HB, 10
mcg), with two doses spaced at least four months apart will meet the
hepatitis B vaccine requirements if the brand name and dosage is
documented.
9. TUBERCULOSIS TEST – A Mantoux test for sensitivity to
tuberculosis is required as part of the health assessment for entry
into school and for any 6th or 10th grade student who is identified
as “high risk” for possible exposure to tuberculosis. Determination
of high risk must be made by the physician, advanced practice
registered nurse, or physician assistant who performs the required
health assessment (school entry, 6th grade or 10th grade) according
to guidelines of the Connecticut State Department of Public Health.
If the school medical advisor questions a low-risk determination,
the medical advisor may require the student to have a Mantoux test
prior to school entry.