School & Child-Care Facility Requirements

FAQs

• School Requirements
• Provisional Enrollment (2 page Word DOC)
• Hep A for Parents
• Hep A for Providers

News and Releases

• 2009
  • Changes in Texas Immunization Requirements - 3/9/09
• 2008
  • National recall and shortage of select Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine (119 Kb)
  • Enforcement of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine Requirements (221 Kb)
• 2007
  • Implementation of House Bill (HB) 1059 and HB 3184
• Archives
  • School & Child-care News Releases & Statements

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Immunization Requirements

The following charts summarize the vaccine requirements incorporated inTitle 25 Health Services, §§97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code. They are not intended as substitutes for consulting the Texas Administrative Code, which has other provisions and details. The Texas Department of State Health Services is granted the authority to set immunization requirements byTexas Education Code, Chapter 38 andHuman Resource Code, Chapter 42.

Requirements for Schools

• 2009-10 Immunization Requirements Phase-In Schedule Rev. 03.09
• New immunization requirements FAQs Stock # E11-13133, Rev. 4/17/09
• Provisional enrollment and general immunization requirements FAQs Stock # E11-13160, Rev. 4/17/09
• School Requirements
  • 2009-10 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students
    (Bilingual, 4 pages) - effective 8/1/09
    -- or just print the English or Spanish version:
  • English (2 pages) - effective 8/1/09
  • Spanish (2 pages)- effective 8/1/09
    
    
  • 2007-08 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students
    (Bilingual, 4 pages) - valid until 7/31/09
    -- or just print the English or Spanish version:
  • English (2 pages) - valid until 7/31/09
  • Spanish (2 pages) - valid until 7/31/09
    
    
• Recommended Immunization Schedule, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2008
  • English pdf (4 pages, 290 Kb)
• Hepatitis A Vaccination Requirements for Grades K-3

Requirements for Child-Care Facilities

• Child-Care Requirements
  • English (3 pages, 42 Kb) for the 2008-2009 school year
  • Spanish (3 pages, 42 Kb) for the 2008-2009 school year
  • 2009-2010 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Child-Care Facilities(pdf)
    6 Pages, stock # 6-15 (Rev 08/01/09)
    Note: this is the document dated 2009-2010 for child-care requirements, but that the requirements have not changed since 2008-2009
• Recommended Immunization Schedule, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2008
  • For Persons Aged 0-6 years (pdf)
  • For Persons Aged 7-18 years(pdf)
    • Catch-up Schedule Ages 4 months-18 years (pdf)
• Flu Fact Sheet for Child-Care SettingsBilingual (4 pages, 28 Kb)
• Flu information
• Hepatitis A Vaccination Requirements

Vaccination Coverage Levels

• Immunization Coverage for Schools
• Immunization Coverage for Child-Care Facilities

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Exclusions from Immunization Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions:

"Exemption from Immunization for Reasons of Conscience" Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Stock # E11-13159, Rev. 04/09

• PDF Format (14 Kb)

Sample letter for requesting an exemption form:

Sample Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience, Stock # EF11-13140, Rev. 03/09.

• PDF Format (26 Kb)
• MS Word Format (62 Kb)
  
  
• Online exemption form request
  (secure web page for requesting exemption forms online )

Exemptions to Immunization Requirements:

Chapter §97.62 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) describes the conditions under which individuals can seek exemptions from Texas immunization requirements. Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.

Guidelines for Requesting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience

• Written requests must be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, commercial carrier, fax, or by hand-delivery.
  
  Mailing Address:
  Immunization Branch
  Department of State Health Services
  Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
  P.O. Box 149347
  Austin, TX 78714-9347
  
  Hand Delivery:
  Department of State Health Services 
  Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
  1100 West 49th Street
  Austin, TX  78756

  Fax:
  512.458.7544

• Hand-delivered requests may be submitted to the DSHS, Immunization Branch, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. ALL affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. No requests will be filled at the time of hand-delivery.
• Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order to process the affidavit, you will be notified.
• The letter must include the following information:
  • Full name of each child for whom a form is requested (first, middle, and last);
  • Date of birth of each child for whom a form is requested;
  • Parent or legal guardian's signature and complete return mailing address, including zip code; and
  • Number of forms needed for each child (not to exceed five forms per child)
• Electronic mail or telephone requests cannot be processed.
• The official Texas Department of State Health Services affidavit form must be notarized and submitted to school officials. The form must be submitted within 90 days from the date it is notarized.
• The school will accept only official affidavit forms developed and issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch. No other forms or reproductions will be allowed.

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Related Websites & Resources

School Health Program
The School Health Program will provide leadership and support to communities in their efforts to meet the health services and health education needs of their children in a school setting.

Texas Education Agency
Providing leadership, guidance and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students in Texas.

CDC Vaccines & Immunizations
Information about Vaccine-preventable diseases from the CDC.

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Last Updated June 25, 2009

Immunizations