Christian UC: Vaccines

Texas Immunization Requirements

Updated Janyary 1994

Authority: Texas Educ. Code Ann 93 2.09, 2.09a. Texas Department of Health, Texas Admin. Code tit. 25, 99 97.61 to .77.

General Rule: 'No person may be admitted to any elementary or secondary school or institution of higher education unless he has been immunized against" the designated diseases. TECA §2.09(a). "A person may be provisionally admitted to an elementary or secondary school if he has begun the required immunizations and if he continues to receive the necessary immunizations as rapidly as medically feasible." TECA §2.09(e).

Exceptions:

1) A doctor signed certificate or affidavit stating, in the physician's opinion, the immunization required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of his family or household. TECA g 2.09(c).

2) An affidavit signed by the applicant, patent or guardian "stating that the immunization conflicts with the tenets and practice of a recognized church of religious denomination of which the applicant is an adherent or member; provided, however, that this exemption does not apply in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the Commissioner of Health. " TECA §2.09(c).

3) Active duty in the armed forces of the United States. TECA §2.09(c).

4) Physician-validated histories of measles or mumps illnesses are acceptable in lieu of vaccine. "25 TECA §97.67.

Definitions: The requirements apply to all students entering, attending, and/or transferring to child-care facilities, public schools, private schools, nonpublic schools, or parochial schools, for example: (1) preschool programs and kindergartens associated with elementary schools;

(2) elementary schools, junior high or middle schools, and high schools;

(3) academies;

(4) colleges;

(5) universities; and

(6) schools for the blind, deaf, mentally ill, and mentally retarded.'25 TECA §97.61.

Reporting: "Each school covered by this Act shall keep an individual immunization record during the period of attendance for each student admitted, and the records shall be open for inspection at all reasonable times by the Central Education Agency or by representatives of local health departments or the Texas Department of Health." TECA §2.09a(a).

Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. TECA Q 2.09(a). The Texas Board of Health may modify, delete or add to any of these immunizations. TECA §2.09(c).

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