JHCB: Immunization of Students

Last Revised Date: 08/10/2020 It is the policy of the School of the Osage that all students attending the district schools shall be immunized in accordance with law.

The district will not allow a student to attend school until the district has satisfactory evidence on file demonstrating that the student has been immunized, that the immunization process has begun and satisfactory progress is being accomplished or that the student is exempted from obtaining immunizations in accordance with law.

Immunization Exceptions

A student is exempted from obtaining immunizations if the district has the completed, original forms from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) necessary to prove that the student will not be immunized for religious or medical reasons. An exemption for medical reasons requires certification by a licensed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy that either the immunization would seriously endanger the child's health or life or that the child has documentation of laboratory evidence of immunity to the disease. An exemption for religious reasons requires written certification from one parent/guardian that immunization of the student violates his or her religious beliefs.

Homeless students, students in the custody of the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services and students in the household of an active duty member of the military who do not have an exemption and cannot provide evidence of having received immunizations required under Missouri law shall be immediately enrolled and given 30 days to provide satisfactory evidence that the student has completed all age-appropriate immunizations or has begun the process of immunization. If the student has begun the process of immunization, the student may continue to attend as long as the process is being accomplished according to the schedule recommended by DHSS.

Failure to Provide Evidence of Required Immunizations

The district will exclude from school all students who are not immunized or exempted as required by law.

The district must report to DHSS the names of any parents/guardians who neglect to immunize their student or refuse to permit the immunization of a nonexempted student. The district will also report to the CD any instance of educational or medical neglect.

Pursuant to law, any contacts with parents/guardians regarding immunizations will also include information about influenza and influenza vaccines.

District-Sponsored Preschool, Daycare Centers and Nursery Schools

No child is permitted to enroll in or attend district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools until the district has satisfactory evidence demonstrating that the child has been immunized unless:

1. There is satisfactory proof that immunizations are in progress and that the process is being accomplished in accordance with the schedule recommended by DHSS; or

2. The student is homeless or in the custody of the CD and cannot provide satisfactory evidence of required immunizations. Such students will be given 30 days to provide satisfactory evidence of completion or evidence that immunizations are in process.

3. A parental, medical or religious exemption is on file. Exemptions must be on original forms from DHSS.

Upon request from a parent/guardian of a student enrolled in or attending district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools, the district will inform the parent/guardian whether any student enrolled or currently attending the facility in which the district-sponsored preschool, daycare center or nursery school is located has an immunization exemption on file. The district will verify only whether any student has an exemption on file. The district will not release any information that would identify a particular student with an exemption or a particular type of exemption.

The district will notify parents/guardians at the time of initial enrollment of their student in district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools that they may request notice from the district as to whether any students currently enrolled in or attending the facility have an immunization exemption on file with the district.

Records

The superintendent or designee shall institute procedures for the maintenance of health records that show the immunization status of every child enrolled or attending in the district and for the completion of all necessary reports in accordance with guidelines prepared by DHSS.

19 C.S.R. 20-28.010

19 C.S.R. 20-28.040

Federal

20 U.S.C. § 6312 Elementary and Secondary Education Act

IGBCA: Programs for Homeless Students

IGBE: Students in Foster Care