Yes. Students in all grades are required to meet the minimum immunization requirements. Immunization requirements extend to children ages 3 through 5 attending special education programs, child care, or preschool within the school building.

The statement must include the student’s name and date of birth, the vaccine given, and date (month/day/year) of each immunization.

Laboratory results for evidence of disease immunity must be ordered by a physician. The ordering physician is responsible for interpreting the results and determining adequate evidence of immunity based on current medical guidelines.

For the MMR to be counted as a valid dose, it must have been given on or after the first birthday. The four day grace period is applicable to MMR vaccine.

A medical exemption is a physician’s certification that a particular immunization may be detrimental to the child’s health. It must state in writing that the child has a medical contraindication to receiving a vaccine. The Indiana State Department of Health has a medical exemption form available on CHIRP that providers should use to document medical exemptions. Many contraindications to vaccination are not permanent so a medical exemption should be obtained for the student each school year. As true medical contraindications to immunization are vaccine-specific, medical exemptions must be written for each vaccine that is contraindicated.

When a valid medical exemption form is received by the school, the school nurse must document this exemption in CHIRP.

The state vaccine medical exemption form can be found here.

A religious objection must state that the objection to immunization is based on religious grounds. The objection must be in writing, be signed by the child’s parent, and delivered to the school.

There is no requirement of proof. To ensure the continued religious objection status for a student, schools must require written documentation of the religious objection each school year. When a valid religious exemption is received by the school, the school nurse must document this exemption in CHIRP. Please note: there is no state form for a religious objection.

Yes, but Indiana Code (IC 20-34-4-5) states that a child is not permitted to attend school beyond the first day without furnishing a written record, unless:

• The school gives a waiver (for a period not to exceed 20 days); or
• The local health department or a physician determines that the child’s immunizations have been delayed due to extreme circumstances and that the required immunizations will not be completed by the first day of school. The parent must furnish a written statement and a time schedule approved by a physician or health department; or
• A medical exemption or religious objection is on file.

Meningococcal disease – All students (IC 20-30-5-18)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection— All 6th grade students (IC 20-34-4-3). The HPV letter may be sent to parents or posted on the school’s website.

All educational materials & letter templates can be found in the CHIRP Document Center under the School Nurse link: Letters

No. School exclusion is determined by the school corporation according to IC 20-34-4-5. ISDH strongly recommends adherence to this code.