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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released an announcement clarifying the role of Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) in ensuring regulation compliance with immunization recommendations.

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OCDEL and DOH work together to ensure the health of children who receive care in a child care setting.

When conducting a renewal inspection, OCDEL’s Bureau of Certification Services (BCS) is responsible for reviewing a random sample of the children’s files, which include the health records. The certification representative will review the immunization documents and compare against the schedule recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to determine if the health record is up to date or on a makeup schedule. If a child is missing an immunization(s), the certification representative will discuss this with the provider, issue a citation, and request a plan of correction.

Department of Health (DOH) is also responsible for ensuring that children in child care group settings have the recommended immunizations as per ACIP. Current DOH procedure is to have representatives of DOH contact a random selection of Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care providers to conduct an annual review of immunization records.

Due to confusion in completing and submitting the documents in the past – and specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic – by DHS certified child care providers, the on-site visit from DOH will support providers in meeting the requirements outlined in 28 Pa. Code Chapter §27.77(a)(4).

For full details, read the Announcement C-22-07 Role of Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) in Ensuring Compliance with Immunization Regulations.