Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pennsylvania School Nurse Management of Student Immunization Requirements
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| Title: | Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Pennsylvania School Nurse Management of Student Immunization Requirements |
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| 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 |
| 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. |
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| ISSN: | 1059-8405 1546-8364 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/10598405241280413 |
