It is time for the annual school immunization survey conducted by the Division of CD/Immunization at the Arkansas Department of Health. This survey requests immunization record data on those children in your district that are attending kindergarten or first grade (whichever is the entering grade), seventh graders, and transfer students (students not in your district last year).
The Arkansas Immunization Law is essential to assure that students are protected from serious, sometimes fatal, communicable diseases. The surveys help the Arkansas Department of Health determine geographical areas where potential outbreaks may occur, local immunization data in case of an outbreak of a disease, and information showing where they can provide technical assistance to those schools that do not have 95% of their students in compliance with the law.
In addition to the survey, on-site audits of immunization records will be conducted in approximately 10% of the schools surveyed. These audits will check the data from the survey forms submitted by the schools. Letters will be sent to those schools to be audited. A representative will contact each school and set a convenient time to conduct the audit. This audit will take a few hours and is not intended to disrupt your normal school activities.
Survey forms for the 1998-99 school year were mailed to your school October 30, 1998. If any of your schools did not receive these forms, please notify the Division of CD/Immunization at 501-661-2410 to obtain your copies. Ask for Letha Dial.
We appreciate your cooperation in this very important request for information in our effort to protect the children of Arkansas.