Health Equity
News, Statements, and Testimony on Health Equity Issues
25th Council session information coming soon.
Changes in School Immunization Requirements for School Year 2023-24
Revised Compliance Definition
The District of Columbia follows the immunization recommendations of the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). As soon as children are old enough that a vaccine is recommended, that vaccine is considered “due.” DC’s Immunization Information System (DOCIIS) provides information about which vaccines are currently due, as well as when vaccines will be due in the future.
Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, once a student is due for a vaccine, that student will be considered non-compliant with DC’s school immunization mandate. DC Health will no longer differentiate between “due” and “overdue” in the determination of compliance. As a result of this change in the definition of compliance, the number of students considered non-compliant will initially increase. However, the change will simplify assessment of compliance and bring DC into closer alignment with other jurisdictions.
Limiting Temporary Exclusion.
In the 2023-24 school year, only non-compliant students in grades pre-K 3, Kindergarten, 7, and 11 will be eligible for temporary exclusion. These grades were selected because they occur soon after age bands in which vaccines are first recommended. Most students in these grades will not “age into” non-compliance during the school year.
Example
ACIP recommends that children receive their first dose of MenACWY at 11 or 12 years of age; in this age range, children are considered “due” for this vaccine. Previously children were considered non-compliant only after reaching their 13th birthday, which is when the vaccine would be marked as “overdue.” Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, children who have not received this vaccine will be considered non-compliant when they reach their 11th birthday. However, while most children reach their 11th birthday during 5th or 6th grade, they will not face temporary exclusion from school until entering 7th grade.
If you have questions about the change in compliance definition, contact doh.immunization@dc.gov.
If you have questions about enforcement of the School Immunization Policy, contact OSSE.schoolhealth@dc.gov.
Sample of Health Equity Legislation MSDC Tracked
What does it say? The bill allows for the administration of medicinal marijuana in schools as well as allows students to bring sunscreen to schools and apply it without a prescription.
MSDC position: MSDC supports the language permitting sunscreen application in schools
Current status: A win for DC physicians and public health! The legislation passed the Council in February and was signed by the Mayor. Previous temporary and emergency legislation permitted students to use sunscreen at schools this school year already.
What does it say? The bill requires DC Health to establish an electronic Medical Order for Scope of Treatment registry (eMOST).
MSDC position: MSDC supports this legislation to more easily allow patients to make their treatment orders known.
Current status: A win for the physician community and our patients! The Council passed the bill in December and the Mayor signed it into law on January 16, 2020.
What does it say? The bill would implement a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on the distribution of "sugary" beverages. The money collected from the tax would establish a Healthy People, Healthy Places Open Spaces Grant Program.
MSDC position: MSDC sent a letter to Council Chair Mendelson asking for a hearing to discuss all of the issues around a beverage tax.
Current status: The bill was introduced October 8, 2019 and referred to the Committee on Business and Economic Development and the Committee of the Whole.