Updates to WAC 246-105
In 2019, the State Board of Health approved changes to Chapter 246-105 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) concerning schools and child care immunization policy. These rules apply to all public and private schools and licensed child care centers in Washington State beginning August 1, 2020.
The update to WAC Chapter 246-105 has three major focuses:
1) It requires medically verified immunization records for school and child care entry. Medically verified record includes one or more of the following:
- A Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) printed from the Immunization Information System (IIS)
- A physical copy of the CIS form with a healthcare provider signature
- A physical copy of the CIS with accompanying medical immunization records from a healthcare provider verified and signed by school staff
- A CIS printed from MyIR
2) It clarifies conditional status in regards to school and child care immunization requirements and implementation.
3) It changes the Tdap immunization requirement to 7th through 12th grades.
Students attending school online because of school changes during the COVID-19 pandemic still need to be in compliance with all of the immunization requirements. More details including frequently asked questions about the rule change can be found on the Department of Health website.
MMR Vaccine Exemption Law Change 2019
In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry.
- Did you know that on July 28, 2019 the new WA state law takes effect for no personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine?
- This means for no personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine for participation in child care, preschool, and public and private school.
- Plan for next school year by making sure your child is up to date on his/her well-child exam, sport physicals, and all vaccines. This will make for a smoother registration process when the new WA state law MMR vaccine law takes effect!
- Need your child’s school vaccine records? Are you a school district employee who needs your vaccine history for your employer? Get registered at MyIR and get access to your family’s vaccine records and print the forms you need.
- What vaccines does your child need? Easy to read schedule to help parents stay current.
Information for School Staff
As part of the law change, school staff need to follow up with any child who currently has a personal/philosophical exemption to MMR vaccine. DOH has developed a sample letter for school staff to send to parents on the new requirements. Please edit and use this document as needed:
Please find the new Certificate of Exemption form here.
Information for Child Care Staff
As part of the law change, child cares need to ensure staff are immunized with MMR, and they need to follow up with any child who currently has a personal/philosophical exemption to MMR vaccine. Here are sample letters for child cares to educate staff and parents/guardians on the new requirements. Please customize the marked sections and use these documents as needed.
Immunizations Required for School and Child Care Attendance
Several immunizations are required before your child may attend school or child care. Children who are not up-to-date on their immunizations may be required to stay home for an extended period of time (21 days or more) if there is a disease outbreak. Health care clinics get busy during the back-to-school rush. Don’t wait to the last minute to get your child immunized!
- Make an appointment with your health care provider today
Immunization Exemptions
As a parent or guardian, you may choose to exempt your child from one or more of the immunization requirements for school. However, your child may be at risk for disease. Children with exemptions have contributed to disease outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in Spokane County and put your child and people in the community at risk. The Washington State Administrative Code 246-110 allows a health officer to exclude children from school or childcare during an outbreak of vaccine-preventable disease if the child has not been fully immunized due to a medical, religious, philosophical, or personal exemption. Immunizations are a safe, effective way to prevent disease! Please take the time to carefully consider your options.
Additional resources