IMMUNIZATION CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
In accordance with Idaho law and district policy, at the time of first admission to any school within this district, and before attendance, all students must present an immunization certification statement signed by a physician or a physician’s representative stating the type, number, and dates of immunizations received. Alternatively, at the request of the parent or guardian, the district will access the voluntary statewide registry of immunization status (IRIS) maintained by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to verify whether the student has received the required immunizations. Immunizations shall be in accordance with the schedule set forth below, unless fewer doses are medically recommended and documented by a physician.
DEFINITIONS
Admission. For purposes of this policy, admission means (a) registration of a child before attendance; (b) re-entry of a child after withdrawing from previous enrollment; or (c) transfer of a child from one Idaho school district to another or from schools outside of Idaho.
Immunization Record. An electronic medical health record, an immunization registry document, or a written immunization certificate confirmed by a licensed health care professional or a physician’s representative which states the month, day, and year of each immunization a person has received.
Laboratory Proof. A certificate from a licensed medical laboratory stating the type of test performed, the date of each test, and the results, accompanied by a physician’s statement indicating the child is immune.
Licensed Health Care Professional. A practitioner, licensed in the State of Idaho by the Board overseeing the practitioner’s license, or by a similar body in another state or jurisdiction within the United States. The practitioner’s scope of practice for licensure must allow for the ordering of immunizations and writing of prescriptions, or the practitioner must be under the direction of a licensed physician. Licensed health care professionals who may provide for immunization requirements include: medical doctors, osteopaths, nurse practitioners, physicians’ assistants, licensed registered nursed, and pharmacists. Other persons authorized by law to practice any of the healing arts shall not be considered licensed health care professionals for purposes of this policy.
Parent, Custodian or Guardian. The legal parent, custodian, or guardian of a child or those with limited power of attorney for the temporary care or custody of a minor child.
Physician’s Representative. Any person appointed by, or vested with authority to act on behalf of, a physician in matters concerning health.
Preschool. The provision of education for children before the commencement of statutory and obligatory education. For purposes of this policy, preschool means one operated by the district.
School Authority. An authorized representative designated by the Board of Trustees of this school district.
REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS
Students are required to be immunized as follows: Preschool students must be age appropriately immunized with all immunizations listed in sections 1-3.
- Student Born on or Before September 1, 1999. A student born on or before September 1, 1999, must meet the following minimum immunization requirements prior to admission for these vaccines: one (1) dose of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), four (4) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP), three (3) doses of Polio, and three (3) doses of Hepatitis B.
- Student Born After September 1, 1999 Through September 1, 2005. A student born after September 1, 1999, through September 1, 2005, must meet the following minimum immunization requirements prior to admission for these vaccines: two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), five (5) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP), three (3) doses of Polio, and three (3) doses of Hepatitis B.
- Student Born After September 1, 2005. A student born after September 1, 2005, must meet the following minimum immunization requirements prior to admission for the following vaccines: two (2) doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), five (5) doses of Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP), four (4) doses of Polio, three (3) doses of Hepatitis B, two (2) doses of Hepatitis A, and two (2) doses of Varicella.
- Seventh Grade Immunization Requirements. Effective with the 2011-2012 school year, and each year thereafter, in addition to the required immunizations listed above, a student must meet the following minimum immunization requirements prior to admission into the seventh (7th) grade for these vaccines: one (1) dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis Booster (Tdap), and one (1) dose of Meningococcal. This requirement will be extended to: 7th – 8th grade students in 2012, 7th – 9th grade students in 2013, 7th – 10th grade students in 2014, 7th – 11th grade students in 2015, and 7th – 12th grade students in 2016.
- Twelfth Grade Immunization Requirements. Effective at the start of the 2020-2021 school year, and each year thereafter, in addition to the required immunizations listed above, students must meet the following minimum immunization requirements prior to admission into the twelfth (12th) grade:
a. Students who received their first dose of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine before the age of sixteen (16) must have two (2) doses of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine.
b. Students who received their first dose of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine at sixteen (16) years of age and older, or those who have never received a dose, must have one (1) dose of Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccine.
SCHEDULE OF INTENDED IMMUNIZATIONS
A student who has received at least one (1) dose of each required vaccine and is currently on schedule for subsequent immunizations may be conditionally admitted to district schools. School authorities, at the time of admission and before attendance, must have a schedule of intended immunizations form completed by a parent/guardian or custodian for any student who is not immunized, excepted or exempted, and who is in the process of receiving, or has been scheduled to receive, the required immunizations. A form provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, or one similar, must include the following information:
- Name and date of birth of the student;
- School and grade in which the student is enrolled and attending;
- Types, numbers, and dates of scheduled immunizations to be administered;
- Signature of the parent, guardian or custodian providing the information; and
- Signature of a licensed health care professional providing care to the student.
If a student is admitted to school and fails to continue the schedule of intended immunizations, that student will be excluded from school until documentation is presented to school authorities by the student’s parent, custodian or guardian setting forth the administration of the required immunization(s).
EXCEPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT
When supporting documentation is in the possession of school authorities at the time of admission and before attendance, a student who meets one (1) or both of the following conditions will not be required to receive the required immunizations in order to attend school:
1. Laboratory Proof. When a student submits laboratory proof of immunity to any of the childhood diseases identified above, the student will not be required to receive the immunization for the diagnosed disease.
2. Disease Diagnosis. A student who has a statement signed by a licensed health care professional stating that the student has had varicella (chickenpox) disease diagnosed by a licensed health care professional upon personal examination will not be required to receive the immunization for the diagnosed disease.
EXEMPTION FROM IMMUNIZATION
A student who supplies documentation to the district at the time of admission and before attendance of one (1) or both of the following conditions is not required to receive the required immunizations:
- Life or Health Endangering Circumstances. A signed statement of a licensed physician that the student’s life or health would be endangered if any or all of the required immunizations are administered.
- Religious or Other Objections. A signed statement of the parent, custodian, or legal guardian that must be either:
a. On a standard form of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare or similar form provided by the school; or
b. A signed statement that includes:
i. The name and date of birth of the student;
ii. A statement indicating that the student is exempt from immunization as provided by this policy and Idaho law for religious or other objections; and
iii. The signature of the parent, custodian, or legal guardian.
EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOL
Students not in compliance with this policy upon first admission in preschool or in kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12) will be denied attendance, unless the student is excepted or exempted as provided herein. Any student denied attendance will not be allowed to attend any schools within this district until he or she is in compliance with this policy. Nothing in this policy limits the authority of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare from excluding any student who has not been immunized in accordance with Idaho law and or from excluding any exempted student in the event of a disease outbreak.
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A copy of a report of each school’s immunization status, by grade, will be submitted to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on or before November 1 of each school year. Such information will be reported on an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare form or electronically and will include:
a. Inclusive dates of reporting period;
b. Name and address of school, district and county;
c. Grade being reported and total number of students enrolled in each grade; and
d. The name and title of the person completing the report form.
e. Number of students who meet all of the required immunizations;
f. Number of students who do not meet all of the required immunizations, listed by specific immunization type;
g. Number of students who do not meet the immunization requirement but are in the process of receiving the required immunizations; and
h. Number of students who claimed an exemption to the required immunizations.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
Idaho Code Sections
33-512(7) – Governance of Schools (Exclusion Due to Infectious/Contagious Disease)
39-4801 et seq. – Immunization; Exemptions
IDAPA 16.02.15 – Immunization Requirements for Idaho School Children
CROSS-REFERENCE:
Enrollment and Transfer – 520
ADOPTED: January 15, 2024
AMENDED: