KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas health officials are reviewing public comments on whether the state health department should require more immunizations for children in daycare and public schools.
The current proposal would add vaccines that protect against meningitis and hepatitis A to the state's required vaccination list for school-aged children, putting Kansas in line with recommendations from the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices, which guides vaccine use in the country.
"These are called vaccine-preventable diseases," Dr. Stephen Lauer, a pediatrician with the University of Kansas Hospital, said. "They help prevent these deadly diseases. If kids don't get vaccinated, we will see things just like measles coming back."
The final step before implementation is for Kansas to review public comment from last week.
According to a spokesperson, if there are post-hearing changes to the proposed regulation, the changes would need to be resubmitted to three approval agencies.
If there are no changes, the Department of Health and Environment will submit a public hearing certification form to the Division of Budget for approval.
Once approval is granted, the KDHE Secretary will adopt the regulation. The new rules would be effective 15 days after publication in the Kansas Register.
Kansas already requires immunizations against polio, diphtheria, measles, German measles, whooping cough, mumps, chickenpox and hepatitis B.
Missouri added meningitis to its required vaccination list in 2016.
