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Section J - Students

Regulation Title: Immunizations of Student
Regulation Code: JLCB-R
Lead Department: Health Services

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Students attending preschool or grades K-12 in TUSD must be immunized as required by state law.

Students who do not meet the requirements for immunization, or the specific exemptions allowed by state or federal law, shall not be allowed to enter school or, if they are enrolled in school, may be removed from school, as authorized by ARS 15-872.

Parents or guardians of students who are not allowed to attend school due to their lack of immunizations may be subject to truancy proceedings, pursuant to ARS 15-803.

Definition of Compliance
As of February 14, 2006, state law requires immunization against the following diseases:

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
  • Poliomyelitis (Polio)
  • Rubeola (Measles)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella (German Measles)
  • Hepatitis B
  • Haemophilus Influenzae b (Hib)
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox)

A student is in compliance with the immunization requirements if:

  1. The student has received or is in the process of receiving all required age-specific vaccine doses, or
  2. The student Is actively in the process of meeting such criteria as evidenced by having received one (1) dose of each of the required immunizations and has established and is following a schedule for the completion of the required immunizations, or
  3. The student has submitted laboratory evidence of immunity signed by a physician or an authorized representative of a health agency which confirms the presence of specific antibodies against an immunization-preventable disease (A.R.S 15-871 (7); or
  4. The parent or guardian of the student submits a signed statement to the school administrator stating that the parent or guardian has received information about immunizations provided by the Department of Health Services, understands the risks and benefits of immunizations and the potential risks of non immunization, and that, due to medical and personal beliefs, the parent or guardian does not consent to the immunization of the student; or,
  5. The student is either exempt from the immunization requirement under Arizona Administrative Code (AAC) R9-6-706, (Exhibit # JLCB -- E2) or the school administrator receives written certification, signed by the parent or guardian and by a physician that states that one or more of the required immunizations may be detrimental to the student's health. An exemption pursuant to this paragraph is valid only during the duration of the circumstance or condition that precludes immunization. Exemptions based on medical circumstances must include the information specified in AAC R9-6-706, including the specific nature and probable duration of the medical condition or circumstance that precludes immunization, whether the exemption is permanent or temporary, and the date of termination for any temporary medical exemption.

The form used by TUSD in keeping student immunization records is Exhibit # JLCB-E1. This form is to be maintained at the school the student attends, and must be reviewed by a trained staff member for compliance with state law (currently codified at AAC R9-6-702 and AAC R9-6-704). The school shall keep a copy of the student’s immunization record with the mandatory, permanent student record, and shall provide the parent or guardian of the student with one copy of the immunization record, on request, and at no charge.

Inadequate immunization records
If a student attempts to enroll in a TUSD preschool or K-12 classes without adequate immunization records, the school shall provide the parent or guardian with:

1. Written notification that the student is not in compliance with immunization requirements;

2. A list of the immunizations that the student must obtain in order to comply with state requirements; and

3. Written notification that the parent or guardian is to send the student to a physician or local health agency to obtain written proof of immunization before entry.

When needed, TUSD Health Services will provide the parent or guardian with a list of clinics where the necessary immunizations may be obtained.

Homeless students:
Students who qualify as refugees under 8 USC 1522 or as homeless under 42 USC 11434 (a) have the right to enroll in school even if they do not have the required documents, such as immunization records.

When a refugee or homeless student without immunization records arrives at a TUSD school for enrollment, the enrolling school shall initially consult with qualified staff at the TUSD Welcome Center to confirm that the student qualifies under federal law as being exempt from producing these records. If the student qualifies for this exemption, the school will immediately enroll the student and assist the student in obtaining his or her immunizations or immunization or medical records.

Disease Outbreak:
Whenever an administrator at a school becomes aware of an outbreak of a case, a suspected case, or an outbreak of the communicable diseases listed in Table 2 to AAC R9 6-203, the administrator shall, either personally or through a representative, report with the additional information required by AAC R9-6-203(B) to the local health agency within the time limits specified in Table 2 (Exhibit # JLCB-E3).

Each school shall maintain a current list of students without evidence of immunization or immunity to the diseases identified in AAC R9-6-702, which shall include the names of all students with incomplete immunization histories and/or exemptions for personal or medical reasons where evidence of immunity has not been provided.

Schools shall forbid attendance by any students lacking proof of immunization or immunity against any of the immunization-preventable diseases as determined by the State Department of Health Services or local health department during periods of outbreaks of the diseases for which immunity is lacking. The announcement of an outbreak of disease and the length of the period of communicability shall be as declared by the state or local health department.

Required Reports
By November 15 of each year, the Director of Health Services shall submit the reports required by AAC R9-6-707(A), and by November 30 of each year, the Director of Health Services shall submit the reports required by ARS 15-874(D).

If any nurses are authorized to administer vaccines or immunizing agents, the Director of Health Services shall submit monthly reports required by AAC R9-6-707(C) by the fifth (5th) day of each calendar month.

Additional reports as defined by AAC R9-6-707(B) may be requested during an outbreak or potential outbreak as determined by the State of Arizona or Pima County Health Department.

Reviewed: April 21, 2006 (Friday Report)

Legal Ref: A.R.S. 15-871 -- 15-874; ARS 36-671 -- 36-674
Title 9, Chapter 6 of the Arizona Administrative Code
8 USC 1522
The McKinney - Vento
Homeless Assistance Act 42
USC 11431, 11432(g) and 11343(a)

Replaces TUSD Regulation # 5506 Immunizations for School Attendance

Exhibit: Guide to the Requirements of The Arizona School Immunization Law for Grades K-12 school entry in Arizona in 2005 (in MS Word | in Adobe PDF)