Christian UC: Vaccines

Indiana Immunization Requirements

Updated December 1993

Authority: Education—Pupils, Chapter 7 Health Measures, Ind. Code Ann. § 20-8.1-7-7.1 to 11. Indiana State Department of Health, Ind. Admin. Code tit. 410, r, 1-1-1 to 1-1-4.

General Rule: The governing body of each school corporation shall require the parents of a child who has enrolled in a school to furnish no later than the first day of school a written statement of the child’s immunization, accompanied by the physician’s certificates or other documentation’s, unless a written statement of this nature is on file with the corporation. ICA § 20-8.1-7-10.1.(a)

Exceptions: There are 3 exceptions:

1) “… no school child shall be required to undergo any testing, examination, immunization or treatment required under this chapter when his parent objects” in a writing that is signed “and delivered to the child’s teacher or to the individual who might order a test, exam, immunization or treatment absent the objection.” ICA &20-8.1-7.2.

2) The school gives the parents of the child a waiver, which may not exceed a period of 20 days. ICA &20-8.1-7-10.1. ( c )(1).

3) The health department or a doctor “determines that the child’s immunization schedule has been delayed due to extreme circumstances” and “will not be completed before the first day of school.” “In this case, the parent,” “shall furnish a written statement and a time schedule, approved by the health department” or doctor, for the completion of the immunizations. ICA & 20-8.1-7-10.1. ( c )(2).

Certificate: “The physician who administers the required vaccines to a child shall give a certificate or other documentation of the immunizations to the person who presented the child for immunization. This certificate or other documentation shall be presented on required to the local health department or its authorized representative.” ICA & 20-8.1-7-9.6(b).

Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, rubella, poliomyelitis, mumps. ICA &20-8.1-7-9.5

Strategy: The first exemption is extremely broad and allows a parent to object to any one or all immunizations simply by filing a signed statement with the governing body of the school.

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