Current as of 2009

Quick Fact:

Submit a statement that the person has a personal belief opposed to immunizations, which is signed by a parent and witnessed by the local health officer or his designee; or a statement that the person is a bona fide member of a specified, recognized religious organization whose teachings are contrary to immunizations, signed by a parent. The form for exemption is provided by the Department of Health.

Other Resources:

The Utah Department of Health has a very clear web site that sets out all of the requirements and how to obtain an exemption. The home page can be found at: Utah Department of Immunization: www.immunize-utah.org

And the Guidebook published by the state can be found at: www.immunize-utah.org/provider/school/guidebook.htm

To obtain Religious or Medical Exemption Form please call the Utah Department of Health at (801) 538-9450

State of Utah Legislature: http://www.le.state.ut.us/

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Code Ann. § 53A-11-301 (2007)

§ 53A-11-301. Certificate of immunization required

(1) Unless exempted for personal, medical, or religious objections as provided in Section 53A-11-302, a student may not attend a public, private, or parochial kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school through grade 12, nursery school, licensed day care center, child care facility, family care home, or headstart program in this state unless there is presented to the appropriate official of the school a certificate of immunization from a licensed physician or authorized representative of the state or local health department stating that the student has received immunization against communicable diseases as required by rules adopted under Section 53A-11-303.

(2) School districts may not receive weighted pupil unit monies for a student unless the student has obtained a certificate of immunization under this section or qualifies for conditional enrollment or an exemption from immunization under Section 53A-11-302.

Utah Code Ann. § 53A-11-302 (2007)

§ 53A-11-302. Immunizations required -- Exceptions -- Grounds for exemption from required immunizations

(1) A student may not enter school without a certificate of immunization, except as provided in this section.

(2) A student who at the time of school enrollment has not been completely immunized against each specified disease may attend school under a conditional enrollment if the student has received one dose of each specified vaccine prior to enrollment.

(3) A student is exempt from receiving the required immunizations if there is presented to the appropriate official of the school one or more of the following:

(a) a certificate from a licensed physician stating that due to the physical condition of the student one or more specified immunizations would endanger the student's life or health;
(b) A completed form obtained at the local health department where the student resides, providing:

(i) the information required under Subsection 53A-11-302.5(1); and (ii) a statement that the person has a personal belief opposed to immunizations, which is signed by one of the individuals listed in Subsection 53A-11-302(3)(c) and witnessed by the local health officer or his designee; or

(c) a statement that the person is a bona fide member of a specified, recognized religious organization whose teachings are contrary to immunizations, signed by one of the following persons:

(i) one of the student's parents;
(ii) the student's guardian;
(iii) a legal age brother or sister of a student who has no parent or guardian; or
(iv) the student, if of legal age.

Utah Code Ann. § 53A-11-302.5 (2007)

§ 53A-11-302.5. Personal belief immunization exemption

(1) The Department of Health shall provide to all local health departments a form to be used by persons claiming an exemption from immunization requirements based on a personal belief opposed to immunization. The form shall include a statement printed on the form and drafted by the Department of Health stating the department's position regarding the benefits of immunization. The form shall require, at a minimum:

(a) a statement claiming exemption from immunizations required under Section 53A-11-302, signed by a person listed under Subsection 53A-11-302(3)(c);
(b) the name and address of the person who signs the form;
(c) the name of the student exempted from immunizations; and
(d) the school at which the student is enrolling.

(2)

(a) The Department of Health shall provide these forms to the local health departments.
(b) Local health departments shall make the forms available to the public upon request.

(3)

(a) A student enrolling in a school and who claims exemption from immunizations based on a personal belief shall complete the form described in Subsection (1) and provide it to the school officials at the school in which the student is enrolling.
(b) Students who prior to July 1, 1992, claimed an exemption from immunizations based on personal beliefs shall prior to December 1, 1992, complete the form described in Subsection (1) and provide it to the appropriate official of the school the student attends.