According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 432A.230, 432A.235, and Nevada Administrative Codes (NAC) 432A.500-.505, children must prove
immunity to Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Poliomyelitis, Rubella, Rubeola
(Measles), Mumps, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Streptococcus
Pneumoniae, and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) prior to admission to a
child care or accommodation facility in Nevada, unless excused because of a
religious belief or medical condition.
In addition to these requirements, it is also
necessary for children being admitted to child care or accommodation facilities
in Nevada to receive all required vaccines at the youngest recommended age per
the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). For example, the fifth
dose of DTaP is recommended between four (4) and six (6) years of age. According
to this requirement, a child enrolled in a child care or accommodation facility
must receive the fifth dose of DTaP at 4 years old and has 30 days to complete
this requirement after their 4th birthday (by 4 years, 30 days old). Please
review the table for further examples. Any child who is behind on Nevada's
required immunizations must be brought up-to-date utilizing the ACIP Catch Up
Schedule to continue to attend the child care/accommodation facility.
Immunizing children at the youngest
recommended age when in a child care or accommodation facility further protects
the child and their peers at the earliest time possible. For example, the fifth
dose of DTaP, when given at four (4) years of age, increases antibody levels
and decreases the risk of older children transmitting the disease to younger
siblings and/or classmates who are too young to have completed the vaccine
series.
Please refer to this immunization schedule /
dose requirements below when enrolling children in your facility. Again, please
note that under “age required,” there is a 30-day window when the child should
complete the requirement. For example, the 3rd dose for Hepatitis B should be
completed by 6 months, 30 days old. If they are behind on any requirements,
they should complete the ACIP Catch Up Schedule with their
pediatrician.
For more information regarding the ACIP
immunization schedule please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html.
If you have any questions about Nevada child
care immunization requirements, please contact the Nevada State Immunization
Program (NSIP) at: nviz@health.nv.gov
or call us at: (775) 684-5900. You can also contact Rachel Warner: rwarner@health.nv.gov or Jessica Lamb: jlamb@health.nv.gov.
