New Vaccine Requirements For Illinois Students

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Health officials are reminding Illinois parents about required vaccinations and eye exams for school children.

Illinois requires students enrolling in school to be up-to-date on immunizations. Students enrolling in kindergarten for the first time in an Illinois school must have an eye exam by a licensed optometrist or a medical doctor.

The state has made a few changes in vaccination requirements. Students must show proof of having received two doses each -- instead of one -- of rubella and mumps vaccines. Children entering kindergarten, sixth grade or ninth grade for the first time must show that they've had two doses of the varicella -- or chicken pox -- vaccine.

Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck says the new requirements follow two separate outbreaks of mumps in the state.

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