Quick Facts and Resources for California Residents
Quick Fact: On June 30, 2015 Governor Brown signed SB 277 into law. New personal and religious belief exemptions will not be allowed in California daycare, preschool, and K-12 schools, effective July 1, 2016. However, if a parent files a letter or affidavit stating beliefs opposed to immunization prior to Jan. 1, 2016 that exemption will apply until the next grade span checkpoint. For more information, please read the statute here, and register and log into NVIC's Advocacy Portal for updates. To understand options available to Californians please read NVIC’s Newsletter Article - The Fallout from California SB277: What Happens Next?
In 2011 AB-499 Minors: medical care: consent was passed which allows minors 12 years old and older to consent to vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases without the knowledge or consent of their parents. This includes HPV vaccine.
Other Resources: Many vaccination and exemption information links are date specific. If the links below have expired, click on the state's department of health, or immunization program link provided below, as they are likely to provide links to updated information. The General Information link leads to the overview page provided by the state at the time of this webpage's update and may also be helpful. Please email NVIC with broken link information.
- General Information
- Vaccination Requirements: Request college/university of choice for their Proof of Immunization Compliance, as private colleges may have their own requirements.
- Exemption Information
- NVIC Co-founder and President Barbara Loe Fisher SB 277 Testimony on Eliminating the Personal Belief Vaccine Exemption. June 2015.
- NVIC Co-founder and President Barbara Loe Fisher Testimony on Childhood Immunization Mandates: Politics vs. Public Health. January 2002.
- State Healthcare Workers and Patient Vaccination Laws
- State of California Legislature – see applicable statutes and their hyperlinks below. Visit NVIC’s Advocacy Portal for information on legislation introduced impacting vaccine exemption rights.
- State of California Department of Health
- State of California Immunization Program
- State of California Vaccine Tracking System
- State of California Vaccine Tracking System Opt-Out Form
- State of California Proposed Rule-Making – View your state’s registry to learn about proposed rule-making.
California Department of Health Services, Division of Communicable Disease Control- Immunization Branch:
EDUCATION CODE
TITLE 2. ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
DIVISION 4. Instruction and Services
PART 27. Pupils
CHAPTER 2. Compulsory Education Law
ARTICLE 2. Persons Excluded
Cal Ed Code § 48216. Exclusion of pupil who has not been immunized; Notice to parents
(a) The county office of education or the governing board of the school district of attendance shall exclude any pupil who has not been immunized properly pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325) of Part 2 of Division 105 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) The governing board of the district shall notify the parent or guardian of the pupil that they have two weeks to supply evidence either that the pupil has been properly immunized, or that the pupil is exempted from the immunization requirement pursuant to Section 120365 or 120370 of the Health and Safety Code
(c) The governing board of the district, in the notice, shall refer the parent or guardian of the pupil to the pupil's usual source of medical care to obtain the immunization, or if no usual source exists, either refer the parent or guardian to the county health department, or notify the parent or guardian that the immunizations will be administered at a school of the district.
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
DIVISION 105. Communicable Disease Prevention And Control
PART 2. Immunizations
CHAPTER 1. Educational and Child Care Facility Immunization Requirements
Cal Health & Saf Code § 120325. Legislative intent
In enacting this chapter, but excluding Section 120380, and in enacting Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide:(a) A means for the eventual achievement of total immunization of appropriate age groups against the following childhood diseases:
(1) Diphtheria.(2) Hepatitis B.
(3) Haemophilus influenzae type b.
(4) Measles.
(5) Mumps.
(6) Pertussis (whooping cough).
(7) Poliomyelitis.
(8) Rubella.
(9) Tetanus.
(10) Varicella (chickenpox).
(11) Any other disease deemed appropriate by the department, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
(b) That the persons required to be immunized be allowed to obtain immunizations from whatever medical source they so desire, subject only to the condition that the immunization be performed in accordance with the regulations of the department and that a record of the immunization is made in accordance with the regulations.
(c) Exemptions from immunization for medical reasons.
(d) For the keeping of adequate records of immunization so that health departments, schools, and other institutions, parents or guardians, and the persons immunized will be able to ascertain that a child is fully or only partially immunized, and so that appropriate public agencies will be able to ascertain the immunization needs of groups of children in schools or other institutions.
(e) Incentives to public health authorities to design innovative and creative programs that will promote and achieve full and timely immunization of children.
(b) The governing authority shall not unconditionally admit any person as a pupil of any private or public elementary or secondary school, child care center, day nursery, nursery school, family day care home, or development center, unless, prior to his or her first admission to that institution, he or she has been fully immunized. The following are the diseases for which immunizations shall be documented:
(1) Diphtheria.
(2) Haemophilus influenzae type b.
(3) Measles.
(4) Mumps.
(5) Pertussis (whooping cough).
(6) Poliomyelitis.
(7) Rubella.
(8) Tetanus.
(9) Hepatitis B.
(10) Varicella (chickenpox).
(11) Any other disease deemed appropriate by the department, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
(c) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), full immunization against hepatitis B shall not be a condition by which the governing authority shall admit or advance any pupil to the 7th grade level of any private or public elementary or secondary school.
(d) The governing authority shall not unconditionally admit or advance any pupil to the 7th grade level of any private or public elementary or secondary school unless the pupil has been fully immunized against pertussis, including all pertussis boosters appropriate for the pupil's age.
(e) The department may specify the immunizing agents that may be utilized and the manner in which immunizations are administered.
(f) This section does not apply to a pupil in a home-based private school or a pupil who is enrolled in an independent study program pursuant to Article 5.5 (commencing with Section 51745) of Chapter 5 of Part 28 of the Education Code and does not receive classroom-based instruction.
(g) (1) A pupil who, prior to January 1, 2016, submitted a letter or affidavit on file at a private or public elementary or secondary school, child day care center, day nursery, nursery school, family day care home, or development center stating beliefs opposed to immunization shall be allowed enrollment to any private or public elementary or secondary school, child day care center, day nursery, nursery school, family day care home, or development center within the state until the pupil enrolls in the next grade span.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “grade span” means each of the following:
(A) Birth to preschool.
(B) Kindergarten and grades 1 to 6, inclusive, including transitional kindergarten.
(C) Grades 7 to 12, inclusive.
(3) Except as provided in this subdivision, on and after July 1, 2016, the governing authority shall not unconditionally admit to any of those institutions specified in this subdivision for the first time, or admit or advance any pupil to 7th grade level, unless the pupil has been immunized for his or her age as required by this section.
(h) This section does not prohibit a pupil who qualifies for an individualized education program, pursuant to federal law and Section 56026 of the Education Code, from accessing any special education and related services required by his or her individualized education program.
Cal Health & Saf Code § 120360. Exceptions
The requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325, but excluding Section 120380) and of Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415 shall not apply to any person 18 years of age or older, or to any person seeking admission to a community college.
(a) If the parent or guardian files with the governing authority a written statement by a licensed physician to the effect that the physical condition of the child is such, or medical circumstances relating to the child are such, that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances, including, but not limited to, family medical history, for which the physician does not recommend immunization, that child shall be exempt from the requirements of Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 120325, but excluding Section 120380) and Sections 120400, 120405, 120410, and 120415 to the extent indicated by the physician’s statement.
(b) If there is good cause to believe that a child has been exposed to a disease listed in subdivision (b) of Section 120335 and his or her documentary proof of immunization status does not show proof of immunization against that disease, that child may be temporarily excluded from the school or institution until the local health officer is satisfied that the child is no longer at risk of developing or transmitting the disease.HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
DIVISION 105. Communicable Disease Prevention And Control
PART 2. Immunizations
CHAPTER 1.5. Immunization of College-Age Students
Cal. Health & Saf. Code §§ 120390-120390.7
120390. The department, in consultation with the Trustees of the California State University, and the Regents of the University of California, shall adopt and enforce all regulations necessary to carry out this chapter.
120390.5.
(a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b), (c), and (d), on or after January 1, 2000, the Trustees of the California State University, and the Regents of the University of California shall require the first-time enrollees at those institutions who are 18 years of age or younger to provide proof of full immunization against the hepatitis B virus prior to enrollment.
(b) A person who has not been fully immunized against the hepatitis B virus, as required by subdivision (a), may be admitted by the governing body of any of the institutions of higher education to which subdivision (a) is applicable on condition that, within a designated time period, the person will provide proof of full immunization against hepatitis B.
(c) Immunization of a person shall not be required for admission to an institution of higher education to which subdivision (a) is applicable if any of the following persons files with the governing body of the educational institution a letter or affidavit stating that the immunization is contrary to the beliefs of either of the following:
(1) The parent, guardian, or adult who has assumed responsibility for the care and custody of the person seeking admission, if that applicant is a minor who is not emancipated or who is 17 years of age or younger.
(2) The person seeking admission, if that applicant is an emancipated minor or is 18 years of age.
(d) If a person seeking enrollment in an institution of higher education to which subdivision (a) is applicable, or the parent or guardian of a person seeking enrollment, files with the governing body a written statement by a physician and surgeon that the physical condition of the person or medical circumstances relating to the person are such that immunization is not considered safe, indicating the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstances that contraindicate immunization, that person shall be exempt from the requirements of subdivision (a).
120390.7. No provision of this chapter shall apply to the University of California except to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, make that provision applicable.
CALIFORNIA FAMILY CODE
PART 4. MEDICAL TREATMENT
CHAPTER 3. CONSENT BY MINOR
SECTION 6926
(a) A minor who is 12 years of age or older and who may have come into contact with an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease may consent to medical care related to the diagnosis or treatment of the disease, if the disease or condition is one that is required by law or regulation adopted pursuant to law to be reported to the local health officer, or is a related sexually transmitted disease, as may be determined by the State Public Health Officer.
(b) A minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to medical care related to the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease.
(c) The minor's parents or guardian are not liable for payment for medical care provided pursuant to this section.