The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has formally proposed updates to the School and Child Care Immunization Law through the rulemaking process and published the Notice of Intent to Adopt on April 29, 2013 in the State Register. MDH wants to make sure you aware of the proposed changes and how to comment on them. The health of children has a direct impact on the ability of schools and child care organizations; these organizations cannot educate or care for children who are absent because of a vaccine-preventable disease (VPD).

 
MDH will be accepting comments on the proposed changes until Friday, May 31, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. If MDH receives more than 25 comments requesting a hearing, a hearing will be held on Thursday, June 27th  beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Freeman building. 

 
The changes bring the law up to date with current recommendations and practices. Some proposed changes include:

• Requiring Hepatitis A and B vaccination for children in child care or school-based early childhood programs.
• Replacing the current seventh grade Td requirement with the Tdap vaccine.
• Requiring secondary students to have meningococcal vaccination beginning in seventh grade.

 

Note: These proposed changes do not change the medical exemption or the option for parents to decline any or all vaccines for conscientious reasons. 

  

You can comment or obtain more information on the proposed changes by visiting the MDH Immunization Rulemaking Website or by contacting Patricia Segal Freeman at 651-201-5503 or health.immrule@state.mn.us. 

 

MNAAP is seeking abstracts for the second annual Resident and Medical Student Abstract and Poster Competition to be held in conjunction with MNAAP's annual meeting on Friday, May 31 from 6-9 p.m. at The Commons Hotel on the University of Minnesota campus. Students/residents who register for the annual meeting and submit an abstract receive a reduced rate and $15 rebate.

 

The goal of the competition is to foster community among pediatric trainees across the state and provide another opportunity for resident and medical student scholarship in a supportive and enjoyable environment. Abstracts will be accepted in two categories: Clinical Report and Research.  Authors selected for the poster session on May 31, 2013 will be judged and viewed by MN pediatricians at the annual meeting. Winners will be selected and prizes awarded with winning abstracts published in Minnesota Medicine. Four winners will be identified -- one for each group: Clinical Report, Research, Medical Student winner and People's Choice winner. Abstracts should be no more than 450 words. Deadline is April 30, 2013.

 

Residents/students 

• Click here to submit abstracts electronically
• Click here for examples of winning abstracts

 Pediatricians

• Consider being a judge! You can select this option when you register for the annual dinner. 

For additional information, please contact Andrew P.J. Olson, MD at olso5714@umn.edu or Katherine Cairns cairns@mnaap.org

 

 

MNAAP has launched a new and improved website for Minnesota pediatricians that includes local pediatric news, projects and resources. Looking for obesity related handouts to share with parents? Tools and resources for dealing with vaccine hesitancy? How about local CME events or employment postings?