Current as of 7/22/2007
Quick Fact:
Submit a written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the religious beliefs of the signator are contrary to the required immunization measures; OR A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the signator has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child.
Other Resources:
Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov
State of Washington Legislature: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/legislature
State of Washington Immunization Program: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/default.htm
State of Washington Immunization Requirements for Child Care and Schools:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/schools/vaccine.htm
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TITLE 28A. COMMON SCHOOL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 28A.210. HEALTH -- SCREENING AND REQUIREMENTS
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 28A.210.080 (2007)
§ 28A.210.080. Immunization program -- Attendance of child conditioned upon presentation of alternative proofs
(1) The attendance of every child at every public and private school in the state and licensed day care center shall be conditioned upon the presentation before or on each child's first day of attendance at a particular school or center, of proof of either
(a) full immunization,
(b) the initiation of and compliance with a schedule of immunization, as required by rules of the state board of health, or
(c) a certificate of exemption as provided for in RCW 28A.210.090.
The attendance at the school or the day care center during any subsequent school year of a child who has initiated a schedule of immunization shall be conditioned upon the presentation of proof of compliance with the schedule on the child's first day of attendance during the subsequent school year. Once proof of full immunization or proof of completion of an approved schedule has been presented, no further proof shall be required as a condition to attendance at the particular school or center.
(2)
(a) Beginning with sixth grade entry, every public and private school in the state shall provide parents and guardians with information about meningococcal disease and its vaccine at the beginning of every school year. The information about meningococcal disease shall include:
(i) Its causes and symptoms, how meningococcal disease is spread, and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and
(ii) Current recommendations from the United States centers for disease control and prevention regarding the receipt of vaccines for meningococcal disease and where the vaccination can be received.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed to require the department of health or the school to provide meningococcal vaccination to students.
(c) The department of health shall prepare the informational materials and shall consult with the office of superintendent of public instruction.
(d) This subsection does not create a private right of action.
(3)
(a) Beginning with sixth grade entry, every public school in the state shall provide parents and guardians with information about human papillomavirus disease and its vaccine at the beginning of every school year. The information about human papillomavirus disease shall include:
(i) Its causes and symptoms, how human papillomavirus disease is spread, and the places where parents and guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and
(ii) Current recommendations from the United States centers for disease control and prevention regarding the receipt of vaccines for human papillomavirus disease and where the vaccination can be received.
(b) This subsection shall not be construed to require the department of health or the school to provide human papillomavirus vaccination to students.
(c) The department of health shall prepare the informational materials and shall consult with the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
(d) This subsection does not create a private right of action.
(4) Private schools are required by state law to notify parents that information on the human papillomavirus disease prepared by the department of health is available.
Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 28A.210.090 (2007)
§ 28A.210.090. Immunization program -- Exemptions from on presentation of alternative certifications
Any child shall be exempt in whole or in part from the immunization measures required by RCW 28A.210.060 through 28A.210.170 upon the presentation of any one or more of the following, on a form prescribed by the department of health:
(1) A written certification signed by any physician licensed to practice medicine pursuant to chapter 18.71 or 18.57 RCW that a particular vaccine required by rule of the state board of health is, in his or her judgment, not advisable for the child: PROVIDED, That when it is determined that this particular vaccine is no longer contraindicated, the child will be required to have the vaccine;
(2) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the religious beliefs of the signator are contrary to the required immunization measures; and
(3) A written certification signed by any parent or legal guardian of the child or any adult in loco parentis to the child that the signator has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child.