4.57—IMMUNIZATIONS
Definitions
“In process” means the student has received at least one dose of the required immunizations and is waiting the minimum time interval to receive the additional dose(s).
“Serologic testing” refers to a medical procedure used to determine an individual’s immunity to Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella.
General Requirements
Unless otherwise provided by law or this policy, no student shall be admitted to attend classes in the District who has not been age appropriately immunized against:
Poliomyelitis;
Diphtheria;
Tetanus;
Pertussis;
Red (rubeola) measles;
Rubella;
Mumps;
Hepatitis A;
Hepatitis B;
Meningococcal disease;
Varicella (chickenpox); and
Any other immunization required by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
The District administration has the responsibility to evaluate the immunization status of District students. The District shall maintain a list of all students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or who have an exemption provided by ADH to the immunization requirements based on medical, religious, or philosophical grounds. Students who are not fully age appropriately immunized when seeking admittance shall be referred to a medical authority for consultation.
The only types of proof of immunization the District will accept are immunization records provided by a:
Licensed physician;
Health department;
Military service;
Official record from another educational institution in Arkansas; or
An immunization record printed off of the statewide immunization registry with the Official Seal of the State of Arkansas.
The proof of immunization must include the vaccine type and dates of vaccine administration. Documents stating “up-to-date”, “complete”, “adequate”, and the like will not be accepted as proof of immunization. No self or parental history of varicella disease will be accepted as a history of varicella disease must be documented by a licensed physician, advanced practice nurse, doctor of osteopathy, or physician assistant. Valid proof of immunization and of immunity based on serological testing shall be entered into the student’s record.
In order to continue attending classes in the District, the student must have submitted:
Proof of immunization showing the student to be fully age appropriately vaccinated;
Written documentation by a public health nurse or private physician of proof the student is in process of being age appropriately immunized, which includes a schedule of the student’s next immunization;
A copy of a letter from ADH indicating immunity based on serologic testing; and/or
A copy of the letter from ADH exempting the student from the immunization requirements for the current school year, or a copy of the application for an exemption for the current school year if the exemption letter has not yet arrived.
Students whose immunization records or serology results are lost or unavailable are required to receive all age appropriate vaccinations or submit number 4 above.
Temporary Admittance
While students who are not fully age appropriately immunized or have not yet submitted an immunization waver may be enrolled to attend school, such students shall be allowed to attend school on a temporary basis only. Students admitted on a temporary basis may be admitted for a maximum of thirty (30) days (or until October 1st of the current school year for the tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningococcal vaccinations required at ages eleven (11) and sixteen (16) respectively if October 1st is later in the current school year than the thirty (30) days following the student’s admittance). No student shall be withdrawn and readmitted in order to extend the thirty (30) day period. Students may be allowed to continue attending beyond the thirty (30) day period if the student submits a copy of either number 2 or number 4 above.
Students who are in process shall be required to adhere to the submitted schedule. Failure of the student to submit written documentation from a public health nurse or private physician demonstrating the student received the vaccinations set forth in the schedule may lead to the revocation of the student’s temporary admittance; such students shall be excluded from school until the documentation is provided.
The District will not accept copies of applications requesting an exemption for the current school year that are older than two (2) weeks based on the date on the application. Students who submit a copy of an application to receive an exemption from the immunization requirements for the current year to gain temporary admittance have thirty (30) days from the admission date to submit either a letter from ADH granting the exemption or documentation demonstrating the student is in process and a copy of the immunization schedule. Failure to submit the necessary documentation by the close of the thirty (30) days will result in the student being excluded until the documentation is submitted.
Exclusion From School
In the event of an outbreak, students who are not fully age appropriately immunized, are in process, or are exempt from the immunization requirements may be required to be excluded from school in order to protect the student. ADH shall determine if it is necessary for students to be excluded in the event of an outbreak. Students may be excluded for no fewer than twenty-one (21) days or even longer depending on the outbreak. No student excluded due to an outbreak shall be allowed to return to school until the District receives approval from ADH.
Students who are excluded from school are not eligible to receive homebound instruction unless the excluded student had a pre-existing IEP or 504 Plan and the IEP/504 team determines homebound instruction to be in the best interest of the student. To the extent possible, the student’s teacher(s) shall place in the principal’s office a copy of the student’s assignments:
for the remainder of the week by the end of the initial school day of the student's exclusion; and
by the end of each school's calendar week for the upcoming week until the student returns to school.
It is the responsibility of the student or the student’s parent/legal guardian to make sure that the student’s assignments are collected.
Students excluded from school shall have five (5) school days from the day the student returns to school to submit any homework and to make up any examinations. State mandated assessments are not included in “examinations” and the District has no control over administering state mandated make-up assessments outside of the state's schedule. Students shall receive a grade of zero for any assignment or examination not completed or submitted on time.
Annually by December 1, the District shall create, maintain, and post to the District’s website a report that includes the following for each disease requiring an immunization under this policy:
The number of students in the District that were granted an exemption by the Department of Health from an immunization;
The percentage of students in the District that were granted an exemption by the Department of Health from an immunization;
The number of students within the District who have failed to provide to the public school proof of the vaccinations required and have not obtained an exemption from ADH;
The percentage of students within the District who have failed to provide to the public school proof of the vaccinations required and have not obtained an exemption from ADH; and
The percentage of a population that must receive an immunization for herd immunity to exist.
Cross References: 4.2—ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
4.7—ABSENCES
4.8—MAKE-UP WORK
4.34—COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND PARASITES
Legal References: A.C.A. § 6-4-302
A.C.A. § 6-18-702
A.C.A. § 6-28-110
DESE Rules Governing Immunization Requirements in Arkansas Public Schools
ADH Rules Pertaining to Immunization Requirements
Date Adopted: 7/16/2015
Last Revised: 7/19/2021