II. Exemptions from Immunization
It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to have his or her student immunized unless the student is exempted. A student may be exempted from receiving the required immunizations in the following manner:
A. Medical exemption – By submitting a medical exemption form with the statement of medical exemption signed by an advanced practice nurse or physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in any state or territory of the United States indicating that the physical condition of the student is such that immunizations would endanger his/her life or health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions. This form is to be submitted once, and must be maintained on file at each new school the student attends.
B. Religious exemption – By submitting a nonmedical exemption form signed by the parent(s) or the emancipated student indicating that the parent(s) or emancipated student is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to immunizations.
Beginning July 1, 2016,
1. Prior to kindergarten entry, a nonmedical exemption form must be submitted at each interval in the 2016 ACIP Birth-18 years immunization schedule at which immunizations are due. The 2016 ACIP immunization schedule is incorporated in Section III (B). This documentation is required only for those vaccines required to prevent the diseases listed in Section III (A). Exemptions will expire at the time next immunizations are due according to the 2016 ACIP birth-18 years immunization schedule or when the student is enrolled to attend kindergarten.
2. From kindergarten through twelfth grade, a nonmedical exemption form must be submitted once per school year. Exemptions will expire annually on June 30th, the last official day of the school year.
C. Personal belief exemption – By submitting a nonmedical exemption form signed by the parent(s) or the emancipated student indicating that the parent(s) or emancipated student has a personal belief that is opposed to immunizations.
Beginning July 1, 2016,
1. Prior to kindergarten entry, a nonmedical exemption form must be submitted at each interval in the 2016 ACIP Birth-18 years immunization schedule at which immunizations are due. The 2016 ACIP immunization schedule is incorporated in Section III (B). This documentation is required only for those vaccines required to prevent the diseases listed in Section III (A). Exemptions will expire at the time next immunizations are due according to the 2016 ACIP birth-18 years immunization schedule or when the student is enrolled to attend kindergarten.
2. From kindergarten through twelfth grade, a nonmedical exemption form must be submitted once per school year. Exemptions will expire annually on June 30th, the last official day of the school year.
D. In the event of an outbreak of disease against which immunization is required, no exemption or exception from immunization shall be recognized and exempted persons may be subject to exclusion from school and quarantine.
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VI. Official school immunization records
A. Official school immunization records shall include:
1. An official Certificate of Immunization or an Alternate Certificate of Immunization approved by the Department of Public Health and Environment shall include one of the following forms of documentation with the dates and types of immunizations administered to a student:
a. A paper or electronic document that includes information transferred from the records of a licensed physician, registered nurse, or public health official, or
b. An electronic file or hard copy of an electronic file provided to the school directly from the immunization tracking system established pursuant to Section 25-4- 2403, C.R.S., or from a software program approved by the Department of Public Health and Environment, or
2. An official medical exemption form with the date and vaccines exempted from, or
3. An official nonmedical exemption form with the date, type of exemption taken and the vaccines exempted from.
B. Any immunization record (original or copy) provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine or osteopathic medicine in any state or territory of the United States, registered nurse, or public health official may be accepted by the school official as proof of immunization. The information is to be verified by the school official and transferred to an official Certificate of Immunization.
C. Schools shall have on file an official school immunization record for every student enrolled. The official school immunization record will be kept apart from other school records. When a student withdraws, transfers, or is promoted to a new school, the school official shall return the Certificate of Immunization to the parent(s) or emancipated student upon request or transfer it with the student’s school records to the new school. Upon a college or university student’s request, the Certificate of Immunization shall be forwarded as specified by the student.
Ref: 6 C.C.R. 1009-2