Procedure 3413 - Student Immunization and Life-Threatening Health Conditions
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:
- The immunization requirements;
- 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;
- The procedural due process rights; and
- 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.
Adoption: