3413 - Student Immunization and Life Threatening Health Conditions

Student Immunization

Students must be vaccinated against, or show proof of acquired immunity for, the diseases required for Child Care/Preschool and School Attendance as set forth by the Washington State Department of Health.

The attendance of every child is conditioned upon the presentation before or on each child’s first day of attendance at a particular school of proof of either:

1. Full immunization;
2. The initiation of and compliance with a schedule of immunization, as required by rules of the state board of health; or
3. A certificate of exemption as provided for in RCW 28A.210.090

Proof of disease immunity through documentation of laboratory evidence of antibody titer or a health care provider's attestation of a student's history of a disease sufficient to provide immunity against that disease constitutes proof of immunization for that specific disease.

Attendance during any subsequent school year of a child who has initiated a schedule of immunization is conditioned upon the presentation of proof of compliance with the schedule on the child's first day of attendance during the subsequent school year.

The District will prohibit the further presence at school of any student already in attendance who has failed to provide proof of immunization. 

Exemptions

A child shall be exempt, in whole or in part, from the immunization requirements in RCW 28A.210.060 through 28A.210.170 upon the presentation of any one or more of the following certifications on a form prescribed by the department of health:

1. A written certification signed by a health care practitioner that a particular vaccine required by the state board of health is, in their judgment, not advisable for the child. When it is determined that this particular vaccine is no longer contraindicated, the child will be required to have the vaccine;
2. A written certification signed by the parent/guardian that the religious beliefs of the parent/guardian are contrary to the required immunization measures; or
3. A written certification signed by the parent/guardian that the parent/guardian has either a philosophical or personal objection to the immunization of the child.

A philosophical or personal objection may not be used to exempt a child from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

The form must also include a statement signed by a licensed health care practitioner that they provided the parent/guardian with information about the benefits and risks of immunization to the child.

Prior to excluding a student for failing to comply with the immunization requirements, the District will provide written notice to the parents, which:

1. Is delivered in person or by certified mail and provided to parents in their native language if feasible.
2. Informs the parents of the applicable laws and implementing rules and includes a copy of the laws and rules.
3. Provides information about immunization services that are available from or through the local health department and other public agencies.
4. Orders the student excluded from school effective immediately upon receipt of the notice.
5. Describes the rights of the parents and student to a hearing, describes the hearing process, and explains that the exclusion will continue until the medication or treatment plan is received or until a hearing officer determines that the student should no longer be excluded from school.

If the parents request a hearing, the District shall schedule one within three school days of receiving the request, unless more time is requested by the parents.

The hearing process shall be consistent with the procedure established for disciplinary cases pursuant to State law.

In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease for which the student is exempted, the student may be excluded from school by order of the local health department for the duration of the outbreak.

Meningococcal and Human Papillomavirus Disease Information

The District shall provide parents/guardians of students in sixth grade and above with information from the state Department of Health about meningococcal disease and human papillomavirus disease and their vaccines at the beginning of every school year.

Life-Threatening Conditions

The attendance of a child with a life-threatening health condition that may require medical services to be performed at school is conditioned upon:

1. The presentation by the parent of a medication or treatment order addressing the life-threatening health condition.
2. Formulation of a nursing plan to implement the order.

The parent shall also provide any medication or equipment identified in the medication or treatment order necessary to carry out the order, unless the school district is required to provide the medication or equipment as a related service under federal law.

A life threatening health condition means a condition that will put the child in danger of death during the school day if a medication or treatment order and an Individual Health Care Plan are not in place. Following submission of the medication or treatment order, an Individual Health Care Plan shall be developed by the nurse.

The District will prohibit the attendance of any students who have a life-threatening health condition if a medication or treatment order has not been presented to the school, to the extent it is consistent with the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Prior to excluding a student for failing to provide a medication or treatment order, the District will provide written notice to the parents, which:

1. Is delivered to the parents in person or by certified mail and provided to parents in their native language if feasible.
2. Informs the parents of the applicable laws and implementing rules and includes a copy of the laws and rules.
3. Orders the student excluded from school effective immediately upon receipt of the notice.
4. Describes the rights of the parents and student to a hearing, describes the hearing process, and explains that the exclusion will continue until the medication or treatment plan is received or until a hearing officer determines that the student should no longer be excluded from school.

If the parents request a hearing, the District shall schedule one within three school days of receiving the request, unless more time is requested by the parents.

The hearing process shall be consistent with the procedure established for disciplinary cases pursuant to State law.