Immunization Branch
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School & Child-Care Facility Requirements

Information for Schools

• School Requirements
  • English (2 page, 39 Kb)
  • Spanish (2 pages, 40 Kb)
• Recommended Immunization Schedule, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2007
  • English (pdf)
  • Spanish (pdf)
• Hepatitis A Vaccination Requirements for Grades K-3

Information for Child-Care Facilities

• Child-Care Requirements
  • English (3 pages, 42 Kb)
  • Spanish (3 pages, 43 Kb)
• Recommended Immunization Schedule, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2007
  • For Persons Aged 0-6 years (1 page, 58 Kb)
  • For Persons Aged 7-18 years (1 page, 58 Kb)
• Flu Fact Sheet for Child-Care Settings Bilingual (4 pages, 28 Kb)
• Hepatitis A Vaccination Requirements

Immunization Coverage

• Immunization Coverage for Schools
• Immunization Coverage for Child-Care Facilities

Immunization Requirements

The above-referenced charts summarize the vaccine requirements incorporated in Title 25 Health Services, §§97.61-97.72 of the Texas Administrative Code. They are not intended as substitutes for consulting the Texas Administrative Code, which has other provisions and details. The Texas Department of State Health Services is granted the authority to set immunization requirements by Texas Education Code, Chapter 38 and Human Resource Code, Chapter 42.

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Exclusions from Immunization Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Conscientious Exemption (16KB, :04)

Sample letter for requesting an exemption form:

• PDF Format (14 Kb)
• MS Word Format (38 Kb)

Exemptions to Immunization Requirements:

Chapter §97.62 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) describes the conditions under which individuals can seek exemptions from Texas immunization requirements. Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.

Guidelines for Requesting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience

• Written requests must be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service, commercial carrier, fax, or by hand-delivery.
  
  Mailing Address:
  Immunization Branch
  Department of State Health Services
  Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
  P.O. Box 149347
  Austin, TX 78714-9347
  
  Hand Delivery:
  Department of State Health Services 
  Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
  1100 West 49th Street
  Austin, TX  78756

  Fax:
  512.458.7544

• Hand-delivered requests may be submitted to the DSHS, Immunization Branch, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. ALL affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. No requests will be filled at the time of hand-delivery.
• Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order to process the affidavit, you will be notified.
• The letter must include the following information:
  • Full name of each child for whom a form is requested (first, middle, and last);
  • Date of birth of each child for whom a form is requested;
  • Parent or legal guardian's signature and complete return mailing address, including zip code; and
  • Number of forms needed for each child (not to exceed five forms per child)
• Electronic mail or telephone requests cannot be processed.
• The official Texas Department of State Health Services affidavit form must be notarized and submitted to school officials. The form must be submitted within 90 days from the date it is notarized.
• The school will accept only official affidavit forms developed and issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch. No other forms or reproductions will be allowed.

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News and Releases

• 2007
  Implementation of House Bill (HB) 1059 and HB 3184

• Archive
  School & Child-care News Releases & Statements

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Links to Related Websites & Resources

School Health Program
The School Health Program will provide leadership and support to communities in their efforts to meet the health services and health education needs of their children in a school setting.

Texas Education Agency
The mission of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is to build the capacity for excellence in the Texas public education system accountable for providing all students with a quality education that enables them to achieve their full potential. The agency's primary responsibilies include: the state's education assessment and accountability system, support for all public and charter schools, student access to adequate resources and educational programs, and equitable access to instructional materials and technologies supporting the foundation and enrichment curriculum.

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NIP - National Immunization Program

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Last Updated October 12, 2007