5320 - IMMUNIZATION
In order to safeguard the school community from the spread of certain communicable diseases and in recognition that prevention is a means of combating the spread of disease, the Board of Education requires all students to be immunized (or in the process of being immunized) against poliomyelitis, measles (aka rubeola), diphtheria, rubella (German measles), pertussis, tetanus, mumps, and other diseases legally designated in accordance with State statutes, unless specifically exempt for medical or other reasons (see below). The Board further requires that students enrolled in grades seven (7) through twelve (12) be immunized against meningococcal disease in accordance with the administration procedures prescribed by the Ohio Department of Health (see AG 5320). This policy pertains to both students who currently attend school in the District and those eligible to attend.
“In the process of being immunized” means the student has received at least the first dose of the immunization sequence and presents written evidence to the Superintendent or Principal of each subsequent dosage required to obtain immunization at the intervals prescribed by the Director of Health.Any student previously admitted under the "in process of being immunized" provision who has not complied with the immunization intervals prescribed by the Director of Health shall be excluded from school on the fifteenth (15th) day of the following school year. Any student so excluded shall be readmitted upon showing evidence to the Superintendent or Principal of progress on the Director of Health's interval schedule.
A student does not have to be vaccinated against a disease if any of the following apply:
- The student presents a signed statement from a parent, guardian or physician indicating the student has had measles, mumps, or chicken pox and does not need to be immunized.
- A physician certifies in writing that immunization from a particular disease is medically contraindicated.
- The student presents a written statement signed by a parent or guardian in which the parent or guardian declines to have the student immunized for reasons of conscience, including religious convictions.
In the case of a chicken pox epidemic in the school's population, the Superintendent may deny admission to a student otherwise exempted from the chicken pox immunization requirement. The Superintendent shall prescribe methods whereby the academic standing of a student who is denied admission during a chicken pox epidemic is preserved. The denial of admission shall cease when the epidemic no longer exists.
A student who has not completed immunization may not be admitted to school, except as is consistent with the law.
The Board believes that immunization is the primary responsibility of the parent(s). For those students who do not have ready access to private or public health services, immunizations shall be provided at public expense.
Any immunization program conducted by this District requires prior approval of the Board and can only extend to those immunizations provided for by statute and the guidelines of this Board.
The Board shall keep an immunization record for each student, available in writing to the student's parent or guardian upon request.
Revised 10/16/07
Revised 5/19/16
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