A Feb. 28 hearing will be the last formal opportunity for public comment on proposed changes to the roster of vaccines required for Minnesota school kids and children in day care.

An administrative law judge, who will recommend whether state health officials should adopt these changes beginning in the 2004-05 school year, will preside.

The hearing is being held by the Minnesota Department of Health, which began the process of revising and updating these vaccine requirements last summer. Public meetings were held in July, August and September as health officials outlined the proposed changes.

On Monday they published the proposed changes in the state register. In addition, the information was posted on the Minnesota Department of Health Web site (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/dpc/ad ps/immrule.htm).

Key changes include:

• Children ages 18 months to 5 years in day care, as well as kids entering kindergarten and seventh grade, would be required to show proof of having the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

• Children between two and 24 months who are enrolled in day care would be required to show proof of having the pneumococcal vaccine. It protects against meningitis, blood infections and pneumonia.

These recommendations are supported by major medical organizations.

Another proposed change would require schools and day care providers to use the department's official record form to document a child's immunization history.

Kris Ehresmann, head of the Health Department's vaccine section, said the form explains to parents that they can continue to decline to have a child vaccinated for medical or conscientious reasons.

Requiring use of this form, or a similar one approved by the Health Department, will ensure that parents are informed of their vaccine options, Ehresmann said.

The hearing will be held at 9 a.m. in the department's Snelling Office Park building, 1645 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul.

For more information about the hearing or the proposed changes, call 612-676-5414 or 1-877-676-5414 or or send an email to immunizerule@health.state.mn.us.

-- Jill Burcum is at jburcum@startribune.com.