Quick Facts and Resources for Louisiana Residents
Quick Fact: Medical, religious and philosophic exemptions will be allowed for compliance with regulations concerning day care attendees and school enterers. Only medical and religious exemptions will be allowed for compliance with regulations concerning public assistance recipients.
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.
- Vaccination Requirements
- Exemption Information: Request college/university of choice for their Proof of Immunization Compliance - it contains a section to declare exemption. Each institution has its own form.
- State Healthcare Worker and Patient Vaccination Laws
- State of Louisiana Legislature - see applicable statutes and their hyperlinks below. Visit NVIC’s Advocacy Portal for information on legislation introduced impacting vaccine exemption rights.
- State of Louisiana Department of Health
- State of Louisiana Immunization Program
- State of Louisiana Vaccine Tracking System - You may also wish to contact your state’s vaccine tracking registry to determine if the ability to opt out is available.
- State of Louisiana Proposed Rule-Making - View your state’s registry to learn about proposed rule-making.
- Statute Updates by Electronic Notification - A service provided by the State of Louisiana Office of State Register Louisiana Administrative Code
REVISED STATUTES
TITLE 17. EDUCATION
CHAPTER 1. GENERAL SCHOOL LAW
PART III. PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN
SUBPART A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
A.(1)
(a) Each person entering any school within the state for the first time, including elementary and secondary schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary schools, vocational schools, and licensed day care centers, at the time of registration or entry shall present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the office of public health, Department of Health and Hospitals, or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress.
(b) Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and thereafter, each person entering the sixth grade in any school within the state shall present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the office of public health, Department of Health and Hospitals, or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress.
(2) The schedule shall include but not be limited to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, and hemophilus influenzae Type B invasive infections.
(3) The schedule may provide specific requirements based on age, grade in school, or type of school. At its own discretion and with the approval of the office of public health, an educational institution or licensed day care center may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the schedule approved by the office of public health.
B. A person transferring from another school system in or out of the state shall submit either a certificate of immunization or a letter from his personal physician or a public health clinic indicating immunizations against the diseases in the schedule approved by the office of public health in accordance with Subsection A of this Section having been performed, or a statement that such immunizations are in progress.
C. If booster immunizations for the diseases enumerated in the schedule approved by the office of public health are advised by that office, such booster immunizations shall be administered before the person enters a school system within the state.
D.(1) Chief administrators of all elementary and secondary schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities, proprietary schools, vocational schools, and licensed day care centers whether public or private within this state shall:
(a) Be responsible for checking students' records to see that the provisions of this Section are enforced.
(b) Electronically transmit immunization compliance reports to the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, when the public or private school operates an existing student-specific electronic data system.
(2) The provisions of this Section which relate to the electronic transmission of data shall be implemented according to rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
E. No person seeking to enter any school or facility enumerated in Subsection A of this Section shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section if the student or his parent or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or his parent or guardian is presented.
F. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the location of an educational institution or facility enumerated in Subsection A of this Section, the administrators of that institution or facility are empowered, upon the recommendation of the office of public health, to exclude from attendance unimmunized students and clients until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization.
§170.1. Immunizations of persons registering for courses at postsecondary education institutions requirements; exceptions; electronic transmission of immunization compliance reports
A.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, for the Fall 2006 semester, quarter, or comparable academic period, a person shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of registration for courses at a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution.
(2) Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, effective for the Spring 2007 semester, quarter, or comparable academic period and thereafter, a person entering a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution for the first time shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of his initial registration for courses at such institution.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection C of this Section, effective for the Spring 2007 semester, quarter, or comparable academic period and thereafter, a person returning to a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution who was not registered for courses at such institution during the Fall 2006 semester, quarter, or comparable academic period and therefore was not subject to the requirement of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of his initial registration for courses upon returning to such institution.
B. Every public and nonpublic postsecondary education institution shall provide detailed information on the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of any required or recommended vaccine against meningococcal disease to each person who has been admitted to such institution or to the person's parent, tutor, or legal guardian if the person is a minor.
C. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not apply to the following persons:
(1) Any person who is eighteen years of age or older and who signs a waiver provided by the postsecondary education institution stating that the person has received and reviewed the information provided pursuant to Subsection B of this Section and has chosen not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease for religious or other personal reasons.
(2) Any person who is a minor and whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian signs a waiver stating that the person has received and reviewed the information provided pursuant to Subsection B of this Section and has chosen for the student not to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease for religious or other personal reasons.
(3) Any person who has submitted a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons or, if a minor, any person whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian has submitted such a statement.
(4) Any person whose course registration is limited to correspondence courses, on-line courses, or any other courses that do not require meeting physically on campus at the postsecondary education institution for any reason or at any time. If such person subsequently registers for courses that meet physically on campus, such person shall be required to provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of registration for such courses at such institution pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.
(5) Any person who is unable to comply with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section due to a shortage in the supply of available vaccinations against meningococcal disease.
D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution to provide or pay for vaccinations against meningococcal disease.
E. No person shall have a cause of action for damages for injury, loss, or death against the state or any agency, official, or employee thereof or against any postsecondary education institution, its governing authority, or any official or employee thereof for failure to provide the information required by Subsection B of this Section or for any act or omission in complying with the provisions of this Section.
F.
(1) The provisions of this Section shall be implemented according to rules promulgated by the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals including an implementation schedule which shall be based on ensuring a sufficient availability of the required vaccine.
(2) The secretary shall establish a priority of cohorts of students who shall be required to be vaccinated in order to minimize the possibility of an outbreak of meningococcal disease. Such priority shall be established in consultation with the Board of Regents.
(3) The first priority cohorts shall be first-time freshmen and students living in on-campus residential facilities. Such students shall be required to present satisfactory evidence of current vaccination beginning with registration for the Fall 2006 semester, quarter, or comparable academic period as provided in this Section unless the secretary determines that an insufficient supply of vaccine is available. The time by which immunization shall be required for these students in the event of such an insufficient supply and for other cohorts of students to present such evidence to register for classes shall be provided in such schedule.
(4) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals shall provide such rules, including the implementation schedule, to the Board of Regents by not later than August 1, 2006. The Board of Regents shall notify each postsecondary management board and, through such management boards, the chief executive officer of each postsecondary education institution of the requirements of this Section and the rules and schedule for their implementation as provided by this Section.
G.(1) Chief administrators of all postsecondary education institutions whether public or nonpublic shall:
(a) Be responsible for checking students' records to see that the provisions of this Section are enforced.
(b) Electronically transmit immunization compliance reports to the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, when the institution operates an existing student-specific electronic data system, that, as of June 1, 2008, collects detailed information regarding vaccines and immunization dates electronically.
(2) The provisions of this Section which relate to the electronic transmission of data shall be implemented according to rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
170.2. Immunization information; meningococcal disease
A. Each city, parish, and other local public school board that provides information relative to immunizations shall provide each student's parent or legal guardian with information relative to the risks associated with meningococcal disease and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunization against such disease. Such information shall include the causes and symptoms of such disease, the means by which such disease is spread, and the places where a parent or legal guardian may obtain additional information and where a student may be immunized against such disease. Such information shall be updated annually if new information on such disease is available.
B.
C. The Louisiana Department of Health, in consultation with the state Department of Education, shall establish by rules and regulations all guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions of this Section in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any city, parish, or other local public school board, the state Department of Education, or the Louisiana Department of Health to provide or pay for immunizations against meningococcal disease.
§170.3. Immunization information; human papillomavirus
A. Each city, parish, and other local public school board that provides information relative to immunizations shall provide to the parent or legal guardian of each student in grades six through twelve information relative to the risks associated with human papillomavirus and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunization against human papillomavirus. The information shall describe the link between human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, the means by which human papillomavirus is spread, and where a person may be immunized against human papillomavirus. The information shall be updated annually if new information on human papillomavirus becomes available.
B.
(1) The Louisiana Department of Health shall develop and provide such information to the state Department of Education. The state Department of Education shall provide the information to each city, parish, and other local public school board that provides information relative to immunizations and educates students in grades six through twelve, which shall provide such information to each such student's parent or legal guardian pursuant to Subsection A of this Section. Such information shall include a form on which such student's parent or legal guardian may grant written permission for the student to receive such information directly.
(2) The Louisiana Department of Health, the state Department of Education, and each such city, parish, and other local public school board shall determine respectively the most cost-effective and efficient means of distributing such information.
C. The Louisiana Department of Health, in consultation with the state Department of Education, shall establish by rules and regulations adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act all guidelines and procedures for carrying out the provisions of this Section.
D.(1) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any city, parish, or other local public school board, the state Department of Education, or the Louisiana Department of Health to provide or pay for immunizations against human papillomavirus.
(2) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any person to be immunized against human papillomavirus.
§170.4. Immunizations of certain persons against meningococcal disease; exceptions
A.
(1)
(a) Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and continuing thereafter, a student shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into the sixth grade at any city, parish, or other local public school or nonpublic school.
(b) Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and continuing thereafter, a student who is eleven years old and is entering a grade other than the sixth grade shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into such grade at any city, parish, or other local public school or nonpublic school.
(c) Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, beginning with the 2009-2010 school year and continuing thereafter, a student who is eleven years old and is participating in an approved home study program pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1 shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease to the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as provided by rule adopted by the board in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
(2) The chief administrator of any city, parish, or other local public school or nonpublic school that educates students who are subject to the requirements of this Section shall be responsible for checking students' records to ensure that the provisions of this Section are enforced.
B. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not apply to the following persons:
(1) Any person whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian signs a waiver stating that the person shall not be immunized against meningococcal disease for religious or other personal reasons.
(2) Any person whose parent, tutor, or legal guardian has submitted a written statement from a physician stating that the immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons.
(3) Any person who is unable to comply with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section due to a shortage in the supply of available vaccinations against meningococcal disease.
C.
(1) The provisions of this Section shall be implemented according to rules and regulations promulgated by the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals, which shall include an implementation schedule based on ensuring sufficient availability of the required vaccine.
(2) The secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals shall provide such rules, including the implementation schedule, to the state Department of Education by not later than August 1, 2009. The state Department of Education shall notify each city, parish, and other local school board, the governing authority of each nonpublic school system or school in the case of a school not a part of a school system, and the parent or legal guardian of any student participating in an approved home study program as specified in Subparagraph (A)(1)(c) of this Section of the requirements of this Section and the rules and schedule for their implementation as provided by this Section.
D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to require any city, parish, or other local public school board, any nonpublic school system or nonpublic school, the state Department of Education, or the Department of Health and Hospitals to provide or pay for immunizations against meningococcal disease.
LOUISIANA REVISED STATUTES
TITLE 40. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY
CHAPTER 1. DIVISION OF HEALTH AND HEALTH OFFICERS
PART IV. IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY
The office of public health of the Department of Health and Hospitals and parish health units are hereby authorized to establish immunization registries for the purpose of improving the immunization rates of the state's children and young adults in order to prevent the spread of diseases at which the immunizations are directed. Registries established in accordance with this Part shall provide for a method of informing the parent, guardian, or registrant when the registrant is due or is late for a recommended immunization and shall serve as a means for persons and institutions that either provide immunization services or are required to ensure that persons are immunized to receive prompt and accurate immunization information. Such persons and institutions shall include but not be limited to public health units, health care providers, schools, and day care centers.
La. R.S. 40:31.16 Parental consent; parental responsibility for immunization; exemptions
A. (1) Nothing in this Part shall be construed to restrict the registry from providing tracking and recall information to the parent or guardian that provides the consent for the child to be entered into an immunization registry.
(2) General consent for treatment and release of information to other providers or to the office of public health shall be considered parental consent for sharing historical, current, and future immunization information. In addition, each immunization provider shall comply with at least one of the following requirements:
(a) Place a poster in the patient registration area notifying parents that the site is participating in the state immunization registry and that childhood data is being shared with the registry.
(b) Provide each parent a brochure supplied by the office of public health describing the purposes of the registry and notifying parents that they can prohibit data sharing by notifying the health care provider not to submit their child's immunization information.
(3) In the event of a public health emergency as declared by the state health officer, including a natural disaster, bioterrorist attack, epidemic, or other event affecting the public health, the requirement to obtain consent for placement on a registry shall be waived for mass immunizations performed in response to such declaration.
B. The immunization record of a child shall be purged from the registry at any time that the child's custodial parent or legal guardian requests, in writing, that the immunization record be purged from the registry.
C. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to mitigate the responsibility of a parent or guardian to have a child of that parent or guardian properly immunized.
D. Nothing in this Part shall be construed to require immunization or tracking of any child otherwise exempt from immunization requirements for medical or religious reasons.
REVISED STATUTES
TITLE 46. PUBLIC WELFARE AND ASSISTANCE
La. R.S. 46:231.4 Immunization compliance; exceptions
A. The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services and the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals shall require each recipient of public assistance of the programs described herein or his parent or guardian to present to the appropriate local agency issuing the public assistance sufficient evidence of immunity or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule promulgated by rule by the office of public health of the Department of Health and Hospitals. Sufficient evidence that such an immunization program is in progress may be substituted for proof of immunity or immunization.
B. Except as provided herein, failure to comply with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section within a reasonable period of time, as defined by rule, after written notification of the requirements of this Section shall result in the suspension of public assistance until compliance is demonstrated.
C. No person shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section if that person or his parent or guardian submits a written statement from a physician stating that the immunization procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons or if the person or his parent or guardian objects to the procedure on religious grounds.
D. The Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Health and Hospitals shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section for programs under the particular department's jurisdiction. The office of public health shall develop and promulgate by rule the immunization schedule required herein.
E. The Department of Health and Hospitals shall apply for any federal waiver necessary to ensure full federal participation in the implementation of this Section and shall submit a written report to the Senate and House Committees on Health and Welfare at the time the waiver is either approved or denied. Failure to receive waiver approval for any one or more of the public assistance programs shall not preclude the implementation of this Section for the remaining programs, upon waiver approval, if needed.
F.(1) The following public assistance programs shall be subject to the provisions of this Section:
(a) Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP).
(b) Public assistance with the cost of medical care under the medical assistance program (Medicaid).
(2) For purposes of this Section, "recipient" means a recipient of public assistance who is under eighteen years of age and all of a recipient's dependents who are under eighteen years of age.
LOUISIANA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
TITLE 51 PUBLIC HEALTH-SANITARY CODE
PART II THE CONTROL OF DISEASES
CHAPTER 7 PUBLIC HEALTH IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
LAC 51:II.701 Immunization Schedule [formerly paragraph 2:025]
A. Appropriate immunizations for age for regulatory purposes shall be determined using the current immunization schedule from the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice (ACIP) of the United States Public Health Service. Compliance will be based on the individual having received an appropriate number of immunizations for his/her age of the following types:
1. vaccines which contain tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, including DTP, DtaP, DT, or Td or combinations which include these components;
2. polio vaccine, including OPV, eIPV, IPV, or combinations which include these components;
3. vaccines which contain measles antigen, including MMR and combinations which include these components.
B. A two-month period will be allowed from the time the immunization is due until it is considered overdue. Medical, religious, and philosophic exemptions will be allowed for compliance with regulations concerning day care attendees and school enterers. Only medical and religious exemptions will be allowed for compliance with regulations concerning public assistance recipients. A copy of the current Office of Public Health immunization schedule can be obtained by writing to the Immunization Program, Office of Public Health, 4747 Earhart Boulevard, Suite 107, New Orleans, LA 70125 or by telephone (504) 483-1905 or toll free 1-800-251-2229.
C. [Formerly paragraph 2:025-1] Any child 18 years or under, admitted to any day care center or residential facility shall have verification that the child has had all appropriate immunizations for age of the child according to the Office of Public Health schedule unless presenting a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from parents. The operator of any day care center shall report to the state health officer through the health unit of the parish or municipality where such day care center is located any case or suspected case of reportable disease. Health records, including immunization records, shall be made available during normal operating hours for inspection when requested by the state health officer. When an outbreak of a communicable disease occurs in a day care center or residential facility, the operator of said day care center or residential facility shall comply with outbreak control procedures as directed by the state health officer.
D. [Formerly paragraph 2:025-2] On or before October 1 of each year, the operator of each day care center, nursery school, or residential facility enrolling or housing any child 18 years or under, shall submit a preliminary immunization status report of all children enrolled or housed as of that date. Forms for submittal shall be provided by the state health officer, and shall include identifying information for each child, and for each dose of vaccine received by the child since birth. Any child exempt from the immunization requirement shall also be identified, and the reason for exemption given on the form. After review of the form(s) by the state health officer or his or her designee, the day care center, nursery school, or residential facility operator will notify, on or before December 31 of each year, the parent or guardian of all enrolled or housed children, who are not compliant, with the immunization requirement of §701.A and C of this Part.
Below are state statutes relating to minor consent for this state; however, there may be additional statutes NVIC is unaware of, and readers may need to do additional research and/or obtain additional legal advice. NVIC doesn't provide legal advice and provides the below for informational purposes only. NVIC provides additional resource information in our FAQ on Vaccination in School-Based Health Clinics, should readers have concerns about the vaccination of their child without parental knowledge or consent this school setting.
La. R.S. § 1079.1. Medical treatment
A.
(1) Consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services by a hospital or public clinic, or to the performance of medical or surgical care or services by a physician, licensed to practice medicine in this state, when executed by a minor who is or believes himself to be afflicted with an illness or disease, shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his majority. Any such consent shall not be subject to a later disaffirmance by reason of his minority.
(2) A minor may consent to medical care or the administration of medication by a hospital licensed to provide hospital services or by a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state for the purpose of alleviating or reducing pain, discomfort, or distress of and during labor and childbirth. The manner of administration of medications includes but is not limited to intravenous, intramuscular, epidural, and spinal. This consent shall be valid and binding as if the minor had achieved her majority, and it shall not be subject to a later disaffirmance by reason of her minority.
B. The consent of a spouse, parent, guardian, or any other person standing in a fiduciary capacity to the minor shall not be necessary in order to authorize such hospital care or services or medical or surgical care or services, or administration of drugs to be provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine to such a minor.
C. Upon the advice and direction of a treating physician, or, in the case of a medical staff, any one of them, a physician or member of a medical staff may, but shall not be obligated to, inform the spouse, parent or guardian of any such minor as to the treatment given or needed, and such information may be given to, or withheld from the spouse, parent or guardian without the consent and over the express objection of the minor.
D. No hospital and no physician licensed to practice medicine in this state shall incur civil or criminal liability in connection with any examination, diagnosis and treatment authorized by this Section except for negligence.
La. R.S. § 1079.13. Consent requirements
A. A school or a facility may provide preventive counseling or treatment to a child without parental consent if all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The child requests such preventive counseling or treatment.
(2) The child withholds permission to contact a parent or parents to seek consent.
(3) A qualified professional reasonably determines in good faith and based on independent evidence that seeking parental consent would not be helpful and would be harmful to the child.
(4) The child provides a statement of his or her reason for seeking preventive counseling or treatment and provides written consent for such services.
B. When requesting a child's written consent for providing preventive counseling or treatment, the school or facility shall comply with all of the following:
(1) Advise the child of the purpose and nature of the preventive counseling or treatment.
(2) Inform the child that the school or facility will maintain a confidential written record of the services provided.
(3) Inform the child that he or she may withdraw consent and cease participating in the preventive counseling or treatment at any time.