Policy: 6512

Section: 6000 - Management Support

Title: Infection Contral Program

Status: Active

Adopted: September 30, 2014

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Infection Control Program

In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain vaccine-preventable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the board strongly urges that susceptible school staff members (including volunteers) provide evidence of immunity against TD (Tetanus-Diphtheria) and MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella). Staff members born prior to January 1, 1957 need not provide evidence of immunity to measles; these individuals are considered naturally immune.

To facilitate this prevention program, the board authorizes the superintendent to make arrangements for staff immunization at a convenient time and place, and at a nominal cost to the staff member. A “susceptible” staff member may be exempt from the requirements for immunization by filing a written objection to such immunization on the basis of religious or philosophical grounds, when a private physician certifies that the staff member's physical condition contraindicates immunization or when the staff member provides documentation of immunity by blood test.

In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease in school, the local health officer has the authority to exclude a susceptible staff member. A staff member granted an exemption for religious, philosophical or medical reasons or without an acceptable immunization record on file may be excluded, as he/she is considered to be susceptible. If excluded he/she is not eligible to receive sick leave benefits because of the exclusion itself. To qualify for benefits, he/she must be ill or temporarily physically-disabled, or is otherwise provided for in a collective bargaining agreement.

The superintendent or designee will evaluate all job duties of district employees to determine which employees have reasonably anticipated on-the-job exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. The district will maintain a list of job classifications where employees have reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. The hepatitis B vaccine will be provided at the district's expense to all employees identified as having risk of directly contacting blood or other potentially infectious material at work.

In the event that an employee has a specific exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material, the employee will be provided, at district expense, with confidential medical evaluation, follow-up and treatment, if indicated.

The district will provide annual training to all employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. All employees will receive district provided training on HIV/AIDS within six months of initial employment.

Records will be kept in strict confidence regarding the hepatitis B vaccine status of all employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material and for each occupational exposure an employee has to blood or other potentially infectious material. The records will be kept for the duration of the employee's employment, plus thirty years. The district will also keep records that employees have received appropriate training.

Cross Reference: 

Policy 3414 Infectious Disease

Legal References: 

WAC 246-110 Contagious disease -- School districts and day care centers

WAC 296-823  Occupation exposure to blood borne pathogens

WAC 392-198 Training — school employees — HIV/AIDS

 

Adoption Date: 09.30.14

Ferndale School District

Revised: