NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS Fall 07 (AZ Immunization Program Office)

Immunization Requirements

All school and child care centers must require children in attendance to be adequately immunized. The law requires parents or guardians to present a documented immunization record which includes dates of all required immunizations. By law, a child cannot attend if his or her record does not show the month and year (month, day, and year for MMR) of each required dose.

Children without a complete immunization record or with an inadequate record must be referred to a physician or health department for immunizations before entry. Inadequately immunized children must have at least one current dose of each vaccine to attend. Additional vaccine doses must be received when they are due for the child to continue attendance. If there is a medical contraindication (temporary or permanent) both the parent and physician must sign the ADHS exemption form provided by the school or health department. If there is a personal or religious belief exemption, the parent/guardian must sign the ADHS form provided by the school, child care center or health department.

*The Arizona School/Child Care Immunization Law allows exemptions for medical reasons or if immunizations are contrary to religious or personal beliefs of the parent or guardian; however, where medical exemptions are allowed at any level, personal beliefs exemptions only apply for schools and religious exemptions only apply for child care centers. Medical exemptions require an exemption form signed by both the physician and parent that is submitted to the school. This form should specify the reason for and duration of the exemption. Personal and religious exemption forms may be obtained from schools and child care centers.

Statute/Regulations: A.R.S. § 36-672. Immunizations; department rules. R9-6-701. Required Immunizations for Child Care or School Entry.

Follow-Up & Exclusion: School administration must exclude children who do not have the required immunizations or who are overdue for the next dose(s) in the vaccine series. Schools must follow up on each student until all required immunizations are completed.

Cost Issues: Children eligible for the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program can receive free vaccine from their VFC enrolled providers. Private providers may charge an administration fee not to exceed $15.43. Immunizations are available at no cost at all County Health Departments.

At the Yavapai County Health Dept., a fee of $15 will be requested, but may be waived if you are unable to pay.

Yavapai County Health Department
1090 Commerce Dr.
Prescott, AZ 86305
928-771-3122