La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § LXXIX-1101

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

Section LXXIX-1101 - Immunization

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 Office of Public Health (OPH), Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), 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, a school system or school may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the schedule approved by the OPH.

B. A student transferring from another school 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 OPH 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 OPH are advised by that office, such booster immunizations shall be administered before the student enters a school system within the state.

D. The school principal or chief administrator shall be responsible for checking student records to ensure that the requirements of this Section are enforced.

1. The school principal or chief administrator shall ensure immunization records and compliance reports are electronically transmitted 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 the student's 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 Immunization

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Meningococcal disease immunization requirements 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.

H. 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 pursuant to Subsection E of this Section.

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § LXXIX-1101

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 29:2348 (November 2003), amended LR 31:3078 (December 2005), LR 35:1232 (July 2009), LR 35:2348 (November 2009), LR 39:1443 (June 2013), Repromulgated LR 461674 (12/1/2020), Amended LR 50973 (7/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6 (A)(10), (11), and (15), 17:7(6), 17:10, 17:22(6), 17:391.1-391.10, 44:411, 17:170(D), R.S. 17:170.4, and 17:170(A)(1).