Brady Collins
California has strict vaccination requirements for students in schools and childcare facilities, whether public or private. The state no longer allows exemptions based on personal or religious beliefs. However, there are two types of exemptions to the immunization requirement: medical exemptions and special education/IEP exemptions. Medical exemptions can be temporary or permanent, and special education exemptions are allowed for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Parents of students with existing medical exemptions must submit a new exemption when their child begins a new grade span. As of 2021, all medical exemptions must be submitted electronically to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR). While the COVID-19 vaccine is not required for children to attend school in California, the state mandates immunization for in-person learning after the FDA's full approval of the vaccine for their grade span.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Personal beliefs exemption | No longer allowed |
| Medical exemption | Allowed |
| Special education/IEP exemption | Allowed |
| Temporary medical exemption | Allowed for a limited period of time |
| Permanent medical exemption | Allowed for a medical condition that permanently exempts vaccination |
| Conditional entry | Allowed for partially vaccinated or unvaccinated children |
| "Grandfather" clause | Allowed for children already in daycare or school by the end of 2015 with a filed PBE |
| COVID-19 vaccine | Not required for children to attend school |
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What You'll Learn
- California no longer accepts personal or religious belief exemptions for vaccines
- Medical exemptions must be submitted to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR-ME)
- Students with existing medical exemptions need a new one for a new grade span
- Children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may be exempt from vaccination
- Unvaccinated children can attend daycare or school with a conditional entry
California no longer accepts personal or religious belief exemptions for vaccines
In California, kindergarteners who have received all the required vaccinations by the time they enter school are considered "up-to-date". Before SB277 was implemented, students could enter school without being up-to-date on their vaccinations by submitting a personal belief exemption, permanent medical exemption, or conditional entrance.
However, after the implementation of SB277, California no longer accepts personal or religious belief exemptions for vaccines. This means that parents or guardians of students in any school or child-care facility, whether public or private, are no longer allowed to submit a personal beliefs exemption for their child to opt-out of currently required vaccines. Personal belief exemptions are also not valid if a child transitions to a new grade span.
Despite the elimination of personal belief exemptions, permanent medical exemptions and conditional entrance options remain in place. A "temporary medical exemption" is a type of exemption that allows a child to be excused from getting shots for a limited period, usually not exceeding one year. On the other hand, a "permanent medical exemption" permanently exempts a child from vaccination due to a medical condition. It's important to note that all medical exemptions are typically limited and cannot extend beyond the grade span specified by the California Department of Public Health.
The impact of eliminating personal belief exemptions in California has been positive. In the first year after SB277 was implemented, the percentage of kindergartners entering school without being up-to-date on their vaccinations decreased significantly, from 7.15% to 4.42%. This decrease was largely due to a reduction in the personal belief exemption rate, which dropped from 2.37% to 0.56%.
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Medical exemptions must be submitted to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR-ME)
California no longer allows parents or guardians of students in any school or childcare facility, whether public or private, to submit a personal or religious belief exemption to a currently required vaccine. However, the state does allow for medical exemptions, which must be submitted to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR-ME).
The California Immunization Registry (CAIR) is a secure, confidential, web-based database that stores the immunization records of children and adults. Medical practices and other authorized users can access the registry by signing a confidentiality agreement and undergoing training. Authorized users can then look up immunization data on their patients and update information as shots are administered.
There are two types of medical exemptions: temporary and permanent. A temporary medical exemption excuses a child from getting shots for up to one year due to a medical condition. A permanent medical exemption is for a medical condition that permanently exempts a child from vaccination. It's important to note that all medical exemptions cannot extend beyond the specified grade span. If a child with a valid medical exemption is denied admission to a childcare facility, parents can file a complaint with the California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Division.
California now also has a Digital Vaccine Record (DVR) system, which can be accessed online. This allows individuals to access their immunization records, and those of their children. Alternatively, individuals can contact their healthcare provider or their previous school or school district to obtain a copy of their immunization records.
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Students with existing medical exemptions need a new one for a new grade span
In California, students with existing medical exemptions will need to submit a new exemption when they begin a new "grade span". This means that any medical exemptions granted prior to a student's current grade span will not be valid when they move to the next grade span.
Grade spans in California are defined as: birth to preschool, kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) and grades 1-6, and grades 7-12. So, for example, if a student had a medical exemption in preschool, this would no longer be valid when they move to kindergarten. Similarly, any exemptions obtained prior to 7th grade will no longer be valid when the student enters 7th grade.
Medical exemptions are granted by a licensed physician who determines that, due to a student's medical circumstances, immunization is not considered safe under the standard of medical care. This can include family medical history. It is important to note that all medical exemptions are only valid for the current grade span and must be submitted again for the next grade span.
Parents or guardians of students in California schools, whether public or private, are no longer allowed to submit a personal beliefs exemption to a currently required vaccine. This means that any personal belief exemptions obtained prior to January 1, 2016, are only valid until the student reaches the next grade span. From that point onwards, the student will need to provide proof of vaccination or a medical exemption.
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Children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may be exempt from vaccination
In California, parents or guardians of students in any school or childcare facility, whether public or private, are no longer allowed to submit a personal or religious belief exemption for their child's vaccinations. However, there are valid exemptions for children with certain medical conditions. A "temporary medical exemption" allows a child to be excused from vaccinations for up to a year due to a temporary medical condition. A "permanent medical exemption" is granted for a permanent medical condition.
In the case of children with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), the law is unclear. While some sources indicate that IEP students are not required to be vaccinated and do not need a medical exemption, the law is unsettled about whether a child with an IEP who does not have the necessary vaccinations or a valid medical exemption can be prevented from attending childcare or school.
If a child with a valid medical exemption has been denied attendance at a childcare facility, parents may file a complaint with the California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Division.
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Unvaccinated children can attend daycare or school with a conditional entry
In California, students are required to obtain immunizations for in-person learning. However, there are a few exemptions that allow unvaccinated children to attend daycare or school with conditional entry. These include medical exemptions and special education/IEP exemptions.
A medical exemption can be temporary or permanent. A temporary medical exemption is valid for a limited period, usually not exceeding one year, and is granted due to a medical condition that prevents a child from receiving vaccinations at that time. On the other hand, a permanent medical exemption is for a medical condition that permanently exempts a child from vaccination. To be valid, medical exemptions must be submitted electronically to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR) and include a separate description of the medical basis for each vaccination exemption, a statement regarding the exemption's permanency or temporariness, an authorization to release information, and certification from the physician attesting to the accuracy of the information.
Special education exemptions are available for students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). However, the law is unclear about whether unvaccinated children with an IEP or IFSP can be prevented from attending school or childcare. In such cases, parents may file a complaint with the California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Division.
It is important to note that California no longer allows personal belief exemptions, including religious beliefs, for mandatory vaccinations. Additionally, schools are required by law to maintain immunization records for their students and submit them to the California School Immunization Record. While the COVID-19 vaccine is not yet required for children to attend school in California, this may change following full approval by the FDA for their grade span.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are currently two types of exemptions: a medical exemption and a special education/IEP exemption.
A medical exemption is for a medical condition that permanently exempts a child from vaccination. A "temporary medical exemption" excuses a child from getting shots for up to one year. All medical exemptions must be submitted electronically to the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).
The "grandfather" clause allows partially vaccinated or unvaccinated children who were already in daycare or school by the end of 2015 and who submitted a PBE form to opt out of full vaccination. These children can continue in daycare or school until they reach a future checkpoint year, such as Kindergarten or 7th grade.
Yes, parents can register a partially vaccinated or unvaccinated child for daycare or preschool with a "conditional entry". However, it is recommended that you maintain documentation of any vaccinations received.
