Christian UC: Vaccines

Iowa Immunization Requirements

Updated December 1993

Authority: Public Health, Communicable and Reportable Diseases, Iowa Code Ann. g 139.9. Public Health, Chapter 7, Immunization of Persons Attending Elementary or Secondary Schools or Licensed Child-Care Centers, Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-7.1(139) to 7. 10(139).

General Rule: "No person shall be enrolled in any Licensed day care center, elementary or secondary school in Iowa without evidence of adequate immunization against" the designated diseases. ICA 139.9.2. Persons included. The immunization requirements specified elsewhere in these rules apply to all persons enrolled or attempting to enroll in a licensed child-care center or a public or nonpublic elementary of secondary school in Iowa. L4C 641-7.2(139).

Exceptions: There are two major exceptions ICA 139.9.4.:

1) "A statement signed by a doctor," "in which it is stated that," "the immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant. "

2) 'An affidavit signed by the applicant or, if 1 minor, by a legally authorized representative, stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized religious denomination of which the applicant is an adherent or member.

Provisional Enrollment: "A person may be provisionally enrolled,' "if the person has begun the required immunizations" and will receive the necessary ones 'as rapidly as medically feasible." ICA 139.9.5.

Epidemic: Religious exemption does not apply in times of emergency/epidemic. ICA 139.9.4(b).

Definitions: LIC 641-7.1(139):

Elementary School - "means kindergarten if provided, and grades 1 through 8 or grades 1 through 6 when grades 7 and 8 are included in a secondary school."

Secondary School - "means (a) a junior highschool comprising grades 7, 8 and 9, and a senior highschool; (b) a combined junior-senior highschool comprising grades 7 through 12; (c) a junior highschool comprising grades 7 and 8 and a highschool comprising grades 9 through 12; (d) a highschool comprising grades 9 through 12."

Certificate: "Applicants, or their parents or guardians, shall submit a valid Iowa department of public health certificate of immunizations to the admitting official of the school or licensed childcare center in which the applicant wishes to enroll. To be valid, the certificate shall be signed by a doctor, or a physician's assistant, or a registered nurse, or a school nurse, or an official of a local health department LIC 641-7,5(139)(1).

Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, rubeola, and rubella. ICA 139.9.1.

Responsibility of Parents: "Every parent or legal guardian shall assure that the person's minor children residing in the state have been adequately immunized against' the designated diseases. ICA 139.9.1.

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