Disaster Planning and Response: Indiana Department of Education
Immunizations

The following directive went to local health departments from the Commissioner, Indiana State Department of Health:

In light of the extreme circumstances created by Hurricane Katrina, children from the affected states are arriving in Indiana for extended stays. In order to permit these children to immediately enroll in Indiana schools without proof of immunization, local health departments should prepare to assist the local schools in enrolling these children.

Indiana Code 20-8.1-7-10.1 (20-34-4-5) permits the local health department to notify the school that these children's immunization schedules in this instance have been delayed due to extreme circumstances. For children admitted under this arrangement, the Indiana State Department of Health will provide additional guidance with regard to immunizations in thirty days.

The Indiana State Department of Health is arranging access to the immunization registries of the affected states. Local health departments and schools will be notified when that information is available.

If you have health-related questions or concerns, please contact your local health agency as you normally would.