Chloe Ramirez
Texas has laws that require certain vaccines for students, and these requirements vary depending on the school level and age of the child. While the state generally mandates immunizations for children, there are exemptions for medical reasons, military service, and personal beliefs, including religious beliefs. Parents have the right to make decisions about their child's healthcare, including vaccinations, but in cases of disagreement, they may need to involve the court. Texas allows for immunization exemption affidavits for those who decline vaccines for reasons of conscience or religious belief. These exemptions are valid for two years and must be submitted to the child's school or childcare facility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Immunization documents required | Official notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit, valid immunization record, medical exemption from a doctor |
| Affidavit form | Stock No. 11-11755 |
| Affidavit validity | 2 years from the date notarized |
| Submission process | Submit the student’s name and date of birth, sign the document, and notarize the affidavit form from DSHS |
| Submission deadline | Not available; exemptions are not available for same-day delivery |
| Court orders | If the court order states that parents must agree on health care decisions, they can refuse to vaccinate their child; each parent could vaccinate the child if they have independent rights and duties |
| Exemption conditions | Medical reasons, military service, personal beliefs (including religion) |
| School requirements | Vary by grade level; requirements for K-12 include 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, with provisional enrollment for 1 dose if the first dose was received in the last 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Texas vaccination requirements for school and childcare
In Texas, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) determines the vaccination requirements for schools and childcare facilities. These requirements are implemented in collaboration with the Texas Education Agency. The specific immunizations needed vary depending on the school level and age of the child.
For children aged 24 to 59 months, Texas requires at least three doses of the PCV vaccine, with one dose administered after the age of 12 months. Alternatively, two doses are acceptable if both are given after the child's first birthday. If the child is over 24 months old, they only need one dose. Children aged 60 months and above are not required to receive the PCV vaccine.
For the MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis A vaccines, the first dose must be given on or after a child's first birthday. Administration of the vaccine within four days before the child's first birthday also satisfies this requirement.
Children enrolling in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) must have received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine. Provisional enrollment is possible with only one dose if it was received within the last six months. In this case, the child must receive the second dose within six months of the first. An 18-month window between the first and second doses is allowed for childcare, with the first dose required by 25 months and the second by 43 months.
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade must also have four doses of the polio vaccine, one of which must be received on or after their fourth birthday. If the third dose was given after their fourth birthday, only three doses are required. Any combination of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) doses is acceptable, provided that age requirements and the total number of doses are met.
Persons aged seven years and older who are not fully immunized with the DTaP vaccine should receive the Tdap vaccine as one dose, preferably the first, in the catch-up series. If additional doses are needed, the Td vaccine can be used.
While Texas has laws mandating certain vaccines for students, there are exemptions for medical, military, and personal belief reasons, including religious beliefs. To claim an exemption, parents or guardians must submit a notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit form, indicating the vaccines the child will not receive and the reason for the exemption. A medical exemption from a licensed doctor is also required if the vaccine is believed to cause harm to the child or their family.
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Exemptions for medical, religious, or personal reasons
In Texas, children can be exempted from vaccinations for medical, religious, or personal reasons. However, it is important to note that only state-provided immunization exemption affidavits are considered valid for those who decline vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs.
Medical Exemptions
A child can be exempted from one or more vaccinations for medical reasons. A parent or guardian who believes that a particular vaccine can harm their child or someone in their family or household can request a medical exemption from a licensed doctor (MD or DO) in the United States. This exemption must be in writing and renewed annually unless a lifelong condition is involved.
Religious and Personal Belief Exemptions
For religious or personal belief exemptions, a parent, legal guardian, or a student aged 18 or older can download and print the Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit form from the Texas DSHS website. This form, Stock No. 11-11755, allows parents or guardians to indicate the vaccines they chose not to allow their child to receive for reasons of conscience, including religious or personal beliefs. The completed and notarized form must then be submitted to the child's school or childcare facility. It is valid for two years from the notary date.
It is important to note that a child-care facility, school, or institution of higher education may exclude a child or student who is not immunized for reasons of conscience, religion, or medical exemption in the event of an official emergency or an outbreak designated by the school or public health department.
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Court orders and conservatorship arrangements
In Texas, parents or guardians are required to ensure their children receive certain immunizations, with specific requirements varying by grade level. While the state does not mandate vaccination for children 60 months and older, it does outline specific requirements for children enrolling in K-12. For instance, children enrolling in K-12 should have received two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine, with the first dose administered in the last six months. If a child has only received one dose, they may still be provisionally enrolled, provided they follow the CDC's catch-up recommendation for the second dose.
However, Texas also allows for immunization exemptions. Parents or guardians who object to vaccinating their children for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, can submit a notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit (Stock No. 11-11755). This form indicates the vaccines the child will not receive. Alternatively, a medical exemption from a licensed doctor (MD or DO) is required if a parent or guardian believes that a particular vaccine could harm their child or someone in their household. This medical exemption must be renewed annually unless a lifelong condition is involved.
It is important to note that while exemptions are permitted, child-care facilities, schools, and institutions of higher education may exclude unvaccinated children from attending during official emergencies or outbreaks designated by the school or public health department. These exemptions are valid for two years from the notary date, and the relevant documentation must be submitted to the school or child-care facility.
While the information provided outlines the general requirements and exemptions, it is always advisable to refer to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information regarding immunization requirements and exemptions in the state. Additionally, for specific legal advice or questions about court orders and conservatorship arrangements, consulting official Texas court websites or seeking legal counsel would be the most accurate course of action.
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Required vaccination documentation
Texas has laws that require certain vaccines for students, and the requirements vary depending on the school level. Texas DSHS provides detailed information on the specific vaccinations required for each stage of education, from daycare to college.
For example, children aged 24-59 months must have received at least three doses of the PCV vaccine, with one dose administered after the age of 12 months. Alternatively, they can have received two doses, both after 12 months of age, or one dose after 24 months of age. For children over 60 months, the PCV vaccine is not required.
For the MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis A vaccines, the first dose must be given on or after the child's first birthday. If a child is entering K-12 education, they should already have two doses of the Hepatitis A vaccine. However, if they only have one dose at the time of enrollment, they may still be provisionally enrolled if the first dose was received within the last six months. In this case, the child must receive the second dose as soon as possible, but no sooner than six months after the first dose.
If a parent or guardian wishes to exempt their child from one or more vaccinations, there are three conditions under which this is permitted: medical reasons, military service, or personal beliefs (including religious beliefs). To obtain an exemption, the parent or guardian must submit two different immunization documents. The first is an official notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit form, which indicates the vaccines that the child will not be receiving and the reason for this decision. The second is a valid immunization record, indicating the dates of any vaccines that the child has received. This record must be validated by a physician or public health clinic. The exemption is valid for two years from the notary date, and the child's school or childcare facility may still exclude the child from attending during an official emergency or an outbreak.
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Provisional enrolment and catch-up recommendations
In Texas, children can be enrolled in school without having received all the required vaccines. This is known as provisional enrollment, and it allows children to start school while they are in the process of catching up on their vaccinations. Here are the recommendations for provisional enrollment and catch-up vaccinations in Texas:
Firstly, parents or guardians should provide the school with a written statement from a physician or an official immunization record that indicates the child has received at least one dose of each required vaccine and is in the process of completing the full vaccine series. This will allow the child to be provisionally enrolled in school.
During the provisional enrollment period, the child should continue receiving the necessary doses of vaccines at the appropriate intervals as recommended by the CDC's catch-up immunization schedule. This schedule is designed to get children up to date on their vaccinations as quickly and safely as possible.
It is important for the parents or guardians to provide the school with updated immunization records as each additional vaccine dose is administered. This ensures that both the school has an accurate record of the child's vaccination status and can monitor the child's progress towards completing the full vaccine series.
If a child is behind on their vaccinations due to a personal belief exemption, they may be allowed to continue their education in Texas. However, in the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease, these children may be temporarily excluded from school to prevent the potential spread of the illness.
By following these recommendations for provisional enrollment and catch-up vaccinations, schools, and parents can work together to ensure that Texas-educated children are also protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. It is crucial to balance the health and safety of all students while also ensuring that children are not excluded from receiving a necessary education.
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Frequently asked questions
Texas has laws that require certain vaccines for students. However, there are three conditions under which students can ask for an exemption from immunization: medical health reasons, military service, or personal beliefs such as religion.
If your court order says that you and the other parent must agree on health care decisions for your child, you can refuse to vaccinate your child. If your court order states you have independent rights and duties, then each parent could vaccinate the child even if the other disagrees.
If both parents agree not to vaccinate, you can submit an official notarized DSHS Blank Immunization Exemption Affidavit form to your child's school or childcare facility. This form outlines the vaccines the parents chose not to allow for reasons of conscience or religion.
If your court order says you must agree on health care decisions and there is a disagreement regarding vaccinations, you can file a modification suit to change the order and request the exclusive right to make immunization decisions.
Each school level has different requirements. For example, children entering K-12 should already have two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine. Children 24 months through 59 months need at least three doses with one dose on or after 12 months of age.
