| Title: |
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pennsylvania School Nurse Management of Student Immunization Requirements |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Alicia M. Hoke; Erika VanDyke; Elle Mellott; Janine Strick; Deepa L. Sekhar |
| Source: |
Journal of School Nursing. 2026 42(2):181-186. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
6 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) (DHHS/NIH) |
| Contract Number: |
UL1TR002014; UL1TR00045 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education; Grade 7; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 12; High Schools; Elementary Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
School Nurses; Role; Immunization Programs; COVID-19; Pandemics; Kindergarten; Grade 7; Grade 12; Clinics; Access to Health Care; Elementary Secondary Education; Compliance (Legal) |
| Geographic Terms: |
Pennsylvania |
| DOI: |
10.1177/10598405241280413 |
| ISSN: |
1059-8405; 1546-8364 |
| Abstract: |
School nurses play a significant role in the coordination of school-entry immunization requirements across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the school landscape and introduced additional responsibilities to a school nurse's workload. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with n = 110 Pennsylvania school nurses to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school-entry immunization compliance management. Qualitative and quantitative data indicated increased difficulty obtaining school-entry immunization data (n = 52) and reduced school-level enforcement of immunization compliance (n = 30). We also observed increases in the percentage of students enrolled with an immunization exemption in Kindergarten, 7th, and 12th grades between the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. However, few respondents (15%) offered school-located immunization clinics (SLIC) for school-entry-required immunizations. While the benefits of SLICs are documented, the capacity required to execute recommended actions may be limited among school nurses--particularly post-COVID-19 pandemic. School nurses may need additional support to address these gaps. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1500075 |
| Database: |
ERIC |