Immunization Requirements
Which immunizations and records are required for school enrollment, and what exemptions may apply?
The state of Texas requires that every child in the state be immunized against preventable diseases caused by infectious agents, in accordance with an established immunization schedule. Information on the specific number of doses required for your student is available on the website of the Texas Department of State Health Services: www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/school-requirements.aspx.
Proof of immunization includes personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.
Provisional Enrollment
A student may be provisionally admitted to or enrolled in LTS if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by law. To remain enrolled, the student must continue to receive the necessary immunizations as rapidly as medically feasible, and complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible. The student and/or parent must also provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to LTS.
A nurse, school health staff member, administrator, or other designee shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in compliance, and LTS shall exclude him or her from school attendance until the required dose is administered.
Homeless Students: A student who is homeless, as defined by federal law, shall be admitted temporarily for 30 days if acceptable evidence of vaccination is not available. LTS shall promptly refer the student to appropriate public health programs to obtain the required vaccinations.
Children in Foster Care: A student who is a “child in foster care,” as defined by 45 C.F.R. § 1355.20(a), shall be admitted temporarily for 30 days if acceptable evidence of vaccination is not available. LTS shall promptly refer the student to an appropriate health provider to obtain the required vaccinations.
Transfer Students: A student can be enrolled provisionally for no more than 30 days if the student transfers from one Texas school to another and is awaiting the transfer of the immunization record.
Military Dependents: A military dependent can be enrolled provisionally for no more than 30 days if the student transfers from one school to another and is awaiting the transfer of the immunization record. The collection and exchange of information pertaining to immunizations with respect to military dependents shall be subject to confidentiality provisions prescribed by federal law.
Exclusions from Immunization Requirements
Exclusions from immunization requirements are allowable on an individual basis for medical reasons, reasons of conscience (including a religious belief), and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.
To claim exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by the student’s physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student’s household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.
To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, a signed Texas Department of State Health Services affidavit must be presented by the student’s parent, stating that the student’s parent declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s religious beliefs. The affidavit will be valid for a period of two years. The form affidavit may be obtained by writing the Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347, or online at Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunization. The form must be submitted to the superintendent or designee within 90 days from the date it is notarized. If the parent is seeking an exemption for more than one student in the family, a separate form must be provided for each student. Students who have not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.
To claim exclusion for armed forces, the student must prove that he or she is serving on active duty with the armed forces of the United States.
Immunization Records Reporting
The school’s record of a student’s immunization history, while private in most instances, may be inspected by the Texas Education Agency (“TEA”), local health departments, and Texas Department of State Health Services and may be transferred to other schools associated with the transfer of the student to those schools.