3413 - Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions

Immunizations 

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, students are required to present evidence of having been immunized against diseases as required by 28A.210 RCW and the Washington State Board of Health 246-105 WAC. 

Exemptions from Immunization 

The Richland School District shall allow for exemptions from immunization requirements only as allowed for by RCW 28A.210.090 and WAC 246-105-050. 

Meningococcal Disease, Human Papilloma Virus Disease and Vaccine Information Distribution 

At the beginning of every school year, the District will provide to parents/guardians of sixth through twelfth grade students, information provided by the Washington State Department of Health about meningococcal disease, human papilloma virus (HPV) disease and their vaccines. 

The information will include the causes and symptoms of meningococcal disease, human papilloma virus, how the diseases are spread, the places where parents/guardians may obtain additional information and vaccinations for their children; and current recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the vaccines. 

Life-Threatening Health Condition 

Prior to attendance at school, each child with a life-threatening health condition will present a medication and/or treatment order from a Licensed Healthcare Provider (LHP) 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 will be developed. 

The parent shall also provide any medication or equipment identified in the medication or treatment order necessary to carry out the order, unless the District is required to provide the medication or equipment as a related service under federal law. A new medication or treatment order must be submitted by the parent/guardian for each school year and whenever there are changes in the medication or treatment needs of the child. The nursing plan shall be amended accordingly. 

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: 

1. Written notice to the parents, guardians or persons in loco parentis delivered to the parents in person or by certified mail. 
2. Notice of the applicable laws including a copy of the laws and rules. 
3. The order that the student shall be excluded from school immediately and until a medication or treatment order is presented. 
4. Describe the rights of the parents and student to a hearing, the hearing process and explain that the exclusion continues until the medication or treatment plan is presented or the hearing officer determines that the student should no longer be excluded from school. 
5. If the parents request a hearing, the district shall schedule one within three school days of receiving the request, unless more time is requested by the parents. 
6. The hearing process shall be consistent with the procedures established for disciplinary cases pursuant to Chapter 392-400 WAC. 

Certificate of Immunization 

Immediately upon enrollment in the Richland School District, a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form, provided by the Washington Department of Health, will be completed by the student's parent, or legal guardian. The certificate will be made a part of the student's permanent record. 

If, by the student’s first day of attendance, a student does not have the required immunizations, the student’s parent/guardian may submit evidence of having initiated a “catch-up” immunization schedule, which will provide the student with “conditional admittance” status. This means the child has received all immunizations the student is eligible to receive and is waiting for the recommended date of the next dose according to the national immunization catch-up schedule. Students may attend under conditional status plus another thirty (30) calendar days’ time to turn in documentation of vaccination needed to complete the CIS. If a student is catching up on multiple vaccines, conditional status continues in a similar manner until all the required vaccines are complete. If the thirty (30) day conditional period expires and documentation has not been given to the school, then the student may be excluded from school. 

Exemptions from Immunization 

A. Medical 

Any and all exemptions will be processed and recorded on a Certificate of Exemption (COE) as provided by the Washington Department of Health. Exemptions from one or more vaccines will be granted for medical reasons upon certification by a physician that there is a medical reason for not administering the vaccine. 

B. Religious 

The District will grant exemptions for religious reasons upon the parent/guardian’s submission of a COE as follows. If a COE states the parent/guardian is a member in a religious body or church with beliefs or teachings that preclude a child from receiving medical treatment from a Licensed Healthcare provider (LHP), the LHP signature on the COA is not required. If the COE claims a religious reason, but does not state that the parent/guardian is a member in a religious body or church with beliefs or teachings that preclude a child from receiving medical treatment from a LHP, the LHP signature on the COA is required. 

C. Philosophical/Personal 

With the exception of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, the District will grant exemptions for philosophical or personal reasons upon the parent/guardian’s submission of a COE, signed by an LHP, stating that the parent/guardian has a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child and the LHP provided the parent/guardian with information about the benefits and risks of immunization. 

The District will not grant an exemption for philosophical or personal reasons from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. The LHP may sign the form any time prior to the District’s enrollment of the child. The District will accept a photocopy of the signed form or a letter from the LHP in lieu of the original form. 

If the District does not receive proof of immunization status on a CIS or a COE upon the student's enrollment in school, the principal or designee will provide written notice to the parents/guardians informing them of: 

1. The immunization requirements; 
2. The potential that the student will be denied attendance unless documentation needed to complete the CIS or COE is provided within thirty (30) calendar days of the student’s first day of attendance; 
3. The procedural due process rights; and 
4. The immunization services available. 

The permanent file of students with exemptions will be marked for easy identification should the local department of health order that exempted students be excluded from school temporarily during an outbreak or an epidemic. 

Exclusion from School – Immunizations or Life-Threatening Health Condition 

Following proper notification, the school will exclude the student for noncompliance with the immunization requirement of the state of Washington or failure to present a medication and/or treatment order for a life-threatening health condition pursuant to the appeal process procedures for student expulsions. Parents have a right to a hearing, provided they notify the school within three (3) business days after receiving the exclusion order from the school principal. If the parent requests a hearing, the parent or guardian and school principal will be notified in writing of the time and place for the hearing and will present the case to a hearing officer appointed by the superintendent.