Christian UC: Vaccines

Alaska Immunization Requirements

Updated October 1993

Authority: Article 2, Physical Examinations and Screening Examinations, Alaska Statutes, @@ 14.30.065, 125, Alaska Admin. Code tit. 4 AAC 06.055.

Responsibility: Statute places responsibility for physical examinations and immunizations on the Department of Health and Social Services, Alaska Stat. @14.30.065, and instructs the commissioner of health and social services to determine when and against which diseases they are necessary. Alaska Stat. g 14.30.125. On direction of the commissioner the governing body of a school district shall require children attending school under their responsibility to be immunized. Alaska Stat. g 14.30.125.

Immunizations Required: Administrative Code applies to children in public school districts or nonpublic schools with grades pre-elementary through 12th. 4 AAC 06.055.(a). If inability to pay immunizations will be provided. 4 AAC 06.055.(d). Records for each student will be kept. 4 AAC 06.055.(e). School districts will exclude any child who has not been immunized as required. 4 AAC 06.055.(f).

Exceptions: There is one exception to the record keeping requirement and two substantive exemptions:

1) Valid international immunization certificate, or a statement by a physician listing dates of immunizations, or a clinic or health center record showing completed immunizations. 4 AAC 06.055.(b)(l)(A), (B) and (C).

2) Affidavit signed by a licensed Alaskan physician or osteopath that immunization would be hazardous to the health and welfare of the child or members of his family or household. 4 AAC 06.055.(b)(2).

3) Affidavit signed by their parent or guardian affirming that immunization conflicts with the tenets and practices of the church or religious denomination of which the applicant is a member. 4 AAC O6.O55.(b)(3).

Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, tetanus, polio, pertussis, measles and rubella. 4 AAC 06.055.(a).

Strategy: Further research on definition of whether home schools are considered nonpublic schools, What is meant by hazardous to the "welfare of the child or members of his family or household," and the scope of the religious exception.

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