La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLVII-303

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section CLVII-303 - Immunizations

A. Each student entering any school within the state for the first time, at the time of registration or entry, shall present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Office of Public Health (OPH) or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress. Each person entering the sixth grade in any school within the state shall present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress.

1. The schedule shall include, but not be limited to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, and hemophilus influenzae type B invasive infections.

2. The schedule may provide specific requirements based on age, grade in school, or type of school. At its own discretion and with the approval of the OPH, an educational institution or licensed day care center may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the schedule approved by the Office of Public Health.

3. Any communication issued to persons, parents, or guardians regarding immunization requirements for a student attending or seeking to enter any school shall include information regarding immunization exemptions.

B. A student transferring from another LEA in or out of the state shall submit either a certificate of immunization or a letter from his personal physician or a public health clinic indicating immunizations against the diseases in the schedule approved by the Office of Public Health having been performed, or a statement that such immunizations are in progress.

C. If booster immunizations for the diseases enumerated in the schedule approved by the Office of Public Health are advised by that office, such booster immunizations shall be administered before the student enters a school system within the state.

D. School administrators shall be responsible for checking students' records to see that the provisions of this Section are enforced and electronically transmit immunization compliance reports to the OPH through the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) when the school operates an existing student-specific electronic data system.

E. No student seeking to enter any school shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section if the student or the student's parent or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or his parent or guardian is presented.

F. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the location of a school, the principal is empowered, upon the recommendation of the OPH, to exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization.

G. Meningococcal Disease; Information; Immunization

1. LEAs that provide information relative to immunizations are required to provide parents and/or guardians with information relative to the risks associated with meningococcal disease. The information shall include the availability, effectiveness and known contraindications of immunization against this disease, causes and symptoms of the disease, how the disease is spread, and places where a student may be immunized and where parents may obtain additional information. Information shall be updated annually if new information is available. The information shall also include notice that the student may be exempt from compliance with this Subsection under the conditions set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Subsection.

2. Students entering sixth grade shall provide evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into the sixth grade at any school in the state.

3. A student who is 11 years old and is entering a grade other than the sixth grade and a student who is 16 years old and is entering a grade other than eleventh grade must provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into such grade at any school in the state.

4. Each student who is 11 years old and each student who is 16 years old and is participating in an approved home study program pursuant to R.S. 17:236.1 must provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease to BESE, as required.

5. The provisions of Paragraphs 2-4 of this Subsection shall not apply to students whose parent or legal guardian have submitted either a signed waiver stating that the student shall not be immunized against meningococcal disease for personal reasons, a written statement from a physician stating that the immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written explanation indicating the student is unable to comply due to a shortage of available vaccines against meningococcal disease.

6. The administrator of each school is responsible for checking students' records to ensure that the provisions of this Section are enforced.

H. Human Papillomavirus

1. Each LEA that provides information relative to immunizations shall provide to the parent or legal guardian of each student in grades 6-12 information relative to the risks associated with human papillomavirus and the availability, effectiveness, and known contraindications of immunizations against human papillomavirus.

2. This information will be provided by the LDE and updated annually if new information on human papillomavirus becomes available.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLVII-303

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 39:1029 (April 2013), Amended LR 4535 (1/1/2019), Amended LR 482549 (10/1/2022), Amended LR 50976 (7/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6, 17:170, 17:170.2, and 17:170.4.