Immunization Law
About
Beginning January 1, 2016 it is required by law that California schoolchildren be fully vaccinated, regardless of their parents’ or guardians personal or religious beliefs. Schools are required to verify students' immunization records before the start of kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, and the 7th grade.
The law no longer permits new immunization exemptions based on personal beliefs for children in childcare nor public and private schools. Personal belief exemptions in place, from a California school, before January 1, 2016, are no longer valid when a pupil reaches TK, kindergarten, or the 7th grade. Students who currently have a valid "Personal Belief Exemption" on file will be allowed to continue in school until they make a grade span* change.
*Grade span is defined as the following––
- Birth to preschool
- Transitional kindergarten or kindergarten
- Grades 1 through 6
- Grades 7 through 12.
What does the vaccination law, Senate Bill 277, say?
Senate Bill 277 requires California children who attend private or public schools to be fully vaccinated regardless of their parents' or guardians personal or religious beliefs. Private or public childcare centers, preschools, elementary schools, and secondary schools cannot admit children unless they are immunized with all vaccinations required at specific grade levels.
Will students be allowed to enroll "conditionally" if they have not yet completed the required vaccinations?
Students who are current or up-to-date on their vaccinations, may enroll. Please review the enrollment requirements for more information.
What vaccinations are required for "unvaccinated students" before entering the 7th grade?
As of July 1, 2016, all students entering 7th grade are required to have all age/grade required vaccines. Please visit the California Department of Public Health immunization webpage for the most updated vaccine requirements.
What if my child already has a personal belief exemption on file?
Any student with a "personal belief affidavit" filed prior to January 1, 2016 will be allowed to remain enrolled in school without being fully immunized until the student begins the next grade span––kindergarten or the 7th grade.
When the student begins the next grade span, the student's personal belief affidavit will no longer be valid and the student must comply with the grade-level immunization requirements.
If a child does not have proof of immunization and is believed to have been exposed to any disease named in the immunization requirements, the child may be temporarily kept out of school. For more information, please visit the California Department of Public Health immunization webpage or contact your school's health office.
Are there exemptions to Senate Bill 277?
There are three exemptions, including medical, special education, and homeschooling/independent study. Students in these categories will still need to provide immunization records to their schools before entry, and schools will still need to report to the California Department of Public Health the immunization status of all students at the existing checkpoints of childcare, kindergarten, and the 7th grade.
- For a medical exemption*, a written vaccination exemption must be provided for the named chid from a licensed physician. The reason for the exemption may include family medical history.
- Any child who has an individualized education program as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, will be allowed to obtain special education services regardless of their vaccination status.
- Students enrolled in a home-based private school or an independent study program are exempt from vaccination requirements.
*Beginning January 1, 2021, all new medical exemptions for school and childcare entry must be issued through the California Immunization Registry Medical Exemption website. Medical exemptions can only be issued by MDs or DOs licensed in California and must meet applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and American Academy of Pediatrics criteria. Medical exemptions issued before January 1, 2020 by physicians who have been disciplined by their medical licensing board are no longer valid. The medical exemption revocation is a matter of the state disciplinary action against the physician. The District has no authorization in this matter. To find out if a physician has been disciplined by the Medical Board or Osteopathic Medical Board, please search an issuing physician's name or medical license number on the list of disciplined physicians. The most recent information may be available on the Department of Consumer Affairs license search website. A parent or guardian may appeal within 30-days of being notified of a revocation using an appeal request form available below––
Children admitted into the next grade span with a prior medical exemption in 2020 would have had to provide a new medical exemption from a physician licensed in California.