Unvaccinated or Under-vaccinated 

Page 9

Today’s society contains a major populace of parents that have decided not to vaccinate their children. Many of these parents are too young to recall the debilitating and deadly diseases that are now vaccine preventable. While medical and scientific studies have shown quite frequently that vaccines are completely safe, there are still many unvaccinated children in need of child care. Where does that leave a child care program or center? ​

Can a center refuse enrollment to an unvaccinated child? Let’s consider some state laws for more information.

Washington

WAC 170-295-7020 states:

• You may have a policy that states that you do not accept children who have been exempted from immunizations by their parent or guardian, unless that exemption is due to an illness protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• You may accept a child whose immunizations are started but not up to date on a “conditional” basis if:
  • For children whose records are difficult to obtain (such as foster children), there is written proof that the case worker or health care provider is in the process of obtaining the child’s immunization status prior to the child starting child care, or
  • The required immunizations are started prior to children starting child care, and
  • The immunizations are completed as rapidly as medically possible. You must work with the parent, health care provider, or local health department to obtain an immunization plan.

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Texas

TAC 97.63 states:
Every child in the state shall be vaccinated against vaccine-preventable diseases caused by infectious agents, in accordance with the following immunization schedule. While the department recommends that providers immunize children according to the recommendations found on the department's website at www.ImmunizeTexas.com, this section sets out minimum immunization requirements for school entry for the child. The child must have the indicated vaccinations by the grade level indicated. The vaccination schedule also indicates the grade before which the child should not obtain the specific vaccination. 

•   (1) For those vaccines where it is stated in this section that a certain dose must be received on or after a certain birthday, a vaccine administered up to four days prior to the birthday is considered compliant.
•   (2) For diseases listed below, a child or student shall show acceptable evidence of vaccination prior to entry, attendance, or transfer to a child-care facility or public or private elementary or secondary school.​
•     (A) Children enrolled in child-care facilities, pre-kindergarten, or early childhood programs shall be immunized against: diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, invasive pneumococcal, and varicella diseases. 

View the list of diseases and immunizations at this link: ​http://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/fids/201102478-1.html 

Helpful Resources for Different States

• State health department websites, coordinators and mandates by www.Imunize.org
• State mandates on immunization and vaccine-preventable diseases from www.Immunize.org
• National Database of Child Care Licensing Regulations​​

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Why is Vaccination Important?
3. Discussion: Vaccine Importance (1/5)
4. Vaccine Myths
5. Vaccine Myths (2/5)

6. Vaccine Preventable Diseases
7. Vaccine Tracking
8. Vaccine Tracking (3/5)
9. Unvaccinated Children
10. Immunization Status (4/5)

11. Outbreak Reporting
12. Seasonal Flu Vaccine
13. End of Course Quiz (5/5)
14. Course Evaluation Form​ 
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