In order for a student to attend school, his/her immunization record must be current unless the parent has filed an exemption with the Texas Department of Health in accordance with Texas Education Code Chapter 38§38.001.  For a complete listing of state vaccine requirements and information on exemptions, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site at www.dshs.state.tx.us.  Additionally, LTISD school boundary maps may be accessed via the District’s Web site at www.ltisdschools.org.

A student shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a child facility or public or private elementary or secondary school in Texas.

Exemptions

The law allows (a) physicians to write a statement stating that the vaccine(s) required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the child or any member of the child’s household, and (b) parents-guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.  Schools and child-care facilities should maintain an up-to-date list of students with exemptions, so they can be excluded from attending school if an outbreak occurs. 

Instructions for the affidavit to be signed by parents/guardians choosing the exemption for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief can be found at www.immunizetexas.com.  

For children needing medical exemptions, a written statement by the physician should be submitted to the school or child-care facility.

Provisional Enrollment

All immunizations should be completed by the first date of attendance.  The law requires that students be fully vaccinated against the specified diseases.  A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate vaccine required by this rule.  To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to the school.  A school nurse or school administrator shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination.  If, at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, the student is not in compliance and the school shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered. 

Documentation

Since many types of personal immunization records are in use, any document will be acceptable provided a physician or public health personnel have validated it.  The month, day, and year that the vaccination was received must be recorded on all school immunization records created or updated after September 1, 1991.