State Seeks Comment on Communicable Disease Control Policy Updates

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July 12, 2007

CHARLESTON, W.Va. _ The West Virginia Board of Education is seeking public input on updates to a state policy that sets guidelines for disease control in schools. Board members voted Thursday to place Policy 2423: Communicable Disease Control on a 30-day public comment period. This policy, last updated in 2006, outlines preventative measures school systems should take to protect students and staff from potential infection. The changes clarify language adopted last year that immunizations for adolescents entering grades six and nine are strongly recommended and not required.  

Language also was added requiring that the immunization record for every student in sixth and ninth grades be entered into the West Virginia Education Information System so that updated immunization information is readily available to health officials in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, such as measles, mumps or chicken pox.  

"Such information will allow educators to better protect students, teachers and staff," said Melanie Purkey, executive director of the West Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Student Services and Health Promotion.  

Educators, parents and community members are encouraged to review the policy and make suggestions. The policy can be viewed on the West Virginia Department of Education Web site at http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies.  

For more information, contact the Office of Communications at (304) 558-2699.

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