Amidst the new requirements regarding the influenza vaccine we’d like to take this time to address some of your questions and concerns. As of January 2014, all children age 6 months to 5 years old that are currently enrolled in a city regulated childcare facility are required to be vaccinated against the influenza virus.

At this time we understand that this is a new mandate and there are many of you who do not believe in vaccinating your child for medical, religious, and/or personal reasons. While we are still in the process of determining what this means for our students and our school as a facility overseen by the New York City Department of Health, the entity by which this requirement is regulated, we must follow this new law as closely as possible.

If your child has been vaccinated, please provide documentation as proof that your child received the vaccine between July 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014.

If your child has not been vaccinated, please make arrangements to do so as soon as possible. We know that many pediatric offices have run out of the vaccine and there may be a long wait time, but we ask that you do your best to get your child vaccinated. As this time, we do know that Riverdale Pediatrics located at 2600 Netherland Ave, Suite 120 currently has the vaccine in stock. Please contact them directly at (718) 796-2580 for further updates.

If you do not wish to vaccinate your child due to medical reasons please let us know as there is a form that your child’s health care provider will have to complete and return to us.

If you do not wish to vaccinate your child due to personal reasons, you must submit a letter from your child’s doctor stating that he/she is in good physical health along with a letter stating why you will not be vaccinating your child.

If you have further questions, please call the school at which your child attends.