FILE:  JGCB

Cf:  JBC

IMMUNIZATIONS

The Acadia Parish School Board shall require all children entering any school for the first time and upon entering the sixth grade to present satisfactory evidence of immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to state law and a schedule approved by the state office of public health, or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress.  In addition, a student who is eleven (11) years old and entering a grade other than the sixth grade shall provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease. The Board may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the office of public health.  Any student failing to meet the immunization standards shall be prohibited from attending school until such time as the immunization standards are met.

A child transferring from another school system in or out of the state, shall submit either a certificate of immunization or a letter from his/her personal physician indicating immunization against the diseases mentioned above and/or any others which may be required, and certificate or statement indicating that the tests required have been performed, or a statement that such immunizations and tests are in progress.  In progress shall mean that the child has an immunization due after the date school has begun, because the child began his/her immunization late, or because the child's pediatrician has provided written orders for the child to receive an immunization after a certain date.

If booster injections for the diseases enumerated on the state schedule are advised, such booster injections shall be administered before the child enters a school system within the state.

Principals, or their designated representatives, of all schools shall be responsible for checking students' records to see that the provisions of this policy are enforced.

No child seeking to enter any school in the school district shall be required to comply with the provisions of this written policy if the child or his/her parent or guardian submits either a statement from a physician stating that this procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the parents is presented.  Exception in compliance may also apply to any person who is unable to comply due to a shortage in the supply of available vaccinations against meningococcal disease.

If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, upon the recommendation of the state office of public health, school administrators may exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired, or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization.

Revised:  December, 2008

Approved:  February 2, 2009

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:170, 17:170.1, 17:170.2, 17:170.3

Health and Safety, Bulletin 135, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 2-2-09

Acadia Parish School Board