Student Immunization

In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the board requires a student to present evidence of his/her having been immunized against the following diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis b, and tetanus. A student satisfies the measles requirement upon a physician's verification that the student has had measles (rubeola).

Immediately upon enrollment in the district a certificate of immunization status, distributed by the Washington Department of Health, shall be completed by the student's parent. The certificate shall be made a part of the student's permanent record.

If a student has not received any or all of the required immunizations, he/she shall submit evidence of the initiation of an immunization schedule and be placed in a "conditional admittance" category. He/she may remain in school for one school year provided that there is documentation that the immunization schedule is being maintained. Failure to maintain the schedule or submit documentation shall be sufficient cause to exclude the student from school.

Exemptions from one or more vaccines shall be granted for medical reason upon certification by a physician that there is a medical reason for not administering the vaccine. Exemptions for personal or religious reasons shall be granted upon request of the parent. The permanent file of students with exemptions shall be marked for easy identification should the department of health order that exempted students be excluded from school temporarily during an epidemic.

If proof of immunization or a certificate of exemption is not received upon the student's enrollment in school, the principal shall provide written notice to the parents or guardians informing them of:

A. the immunization requirements;

B. the denial of further attendance by the student;

C. the procedural due process rights; and

D. the immunization services that are available.

Following proper notification, the school shall exclude the student for noncompliance with the immunization laws pursuant to the appeal process procedures for student expulsions. Parents shall have a right to a hearing provided they notify the school within 3 days after receiving the exclusion order from the school principal. If the parent requests a hearing, the parent or guardian and school principal shall be notified in writing of the time and place for the hearing and shall present the case to a hearing officer appointed by the superintendent.

Prior to attendance at school, each child with a life-threatening health condition shall present a medication or treatment order addressing the condition. A life-threatening health condition means a condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order providing authority to a registered nurse and nursing plan are not in place. Following submission of the medication or treatment order, a nursing plan shall be developed.

Students who have a life-threatening health condition and no medication or treatment order presented to the school shall be excluded from school, to the extent that the district can do so consistent with federal requirements for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and pursuant to the following due process requirements:

Legal References:

RCW 28A.210 Health Measures

WAC 180-38-040 - 180-38-065 Immunization law

WAC 246-100-166 Immunization of child care and school children against certain vaccine-preventable diseases

WAC 392-182 Health records

Adoption Date: 7-28-03

St. John - Endicott Cooperative Schools