6512 Infection Control Program
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 school staff members (including volunteers) provide evidence of immunity against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. The following immunizations are recommended for school staff: measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (Tdap and TD), and influenza (flu). Staff members born prior to January 1, 1957, need not provide evidence of immunity to measles; these individuals are considered naturally immune.
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. 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.
Blood or Other Potentially Infectious Material
The superintendent or designee shall 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 shall maintain a list of job classifications where employees have reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. The hepatitis B vaccine shall 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 shall provide annual training to all employees with reasonably anticipated exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material. All employees shall receive district provided training on HIV/AIDS within six months of initial employment.
Records shall 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 shall be kept for the duration of the employee's employment, plus thirty years. The district shall also keep records that employees have received appropriate training.
Preventing, Suppressing, and Controlling Contagious and Infectious Diseases
The district will follow lawful regulations, orders, and proclamations about preventing, suppressing, and controlling contagious and infectious diseases.
Cross reference:
- Board Policy 3414 Infectious Disease
- Board Policy 5630 Volunteers
Legal References:
- Chapter 246-110 WAC Contagious disease-School Districts and day care centers
- Chapter 296-823 WAC Occupation exposure to bloodborne pathogens
- 392-198 Training — school employees — HIV/AIDS
- WAC 246-100-036 Responsibilities and duties—Local Health Officers
- RCW 43.06.220 State of emergency—Ppowers of governor pursuant to proclamation
- RCW 43.70.130 Powers and duties of secretary—General
- RCW 70.05.070 Local health officer—powers and duties
- RCW 70.05.120 Violations—Remedies—Penalties
Management Resources:
- 2015- June Policy Issue 2015- April Policy Issue
- 2020- September Alert
Adoption Date: 04.15.03
Stanwood-Camano School District
Revised: 12.1.20; 2.7.23