FILE:  JGCB

Cf:  JBC

 

IMMUNIZATIONS

 

 

The Iberia Parish School Board shall require each student entering any school for the first time, and at any other time as required by the state, to present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to state law and a schedule approved by the state Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Office of Public Health (OPH), or present evidence of an immunization program in progress.  The School Board may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), Office of Public Health (OPH).  Any student failing to meet the immunization standards shall be prohibited from attending school until such time as the immunization standards are met.

 

In progress shall mean that the student has an immunization due after the date school has begun, because the student began his/her immunization late, or because the student’s pediatrician has provided written orders for the student to receive an immunization after a certain date.

 

TRANSFERRING STUDENTS

 

A student transferring from another school system in or out of the state shall submit either a certificate of immunization or a letter from his/her personal physician or a public health clinic indicating immunization against the diseases in the schedule approved by the Office of Public Health have been performed, or a statement that such immunizations are in progress.

 

If booster injections for the diseases enumerated on the state schedule are advised, such booster injections shall be administered before the student enters a school system within the state.

 

ENFORCEMENT

 

Principals or their designated representatives shall be responsible for checking students' records to see that the provisions of this policy are enforced, and to electronically transmit immunization reports to the OPH through the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide, when capable.

 

EXCEPTIONS

 

No student seeking to enter any public school in Iberia Parish shall be required to comply with the provisions of this written policy if the student or his/her parent or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating that this procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or his/her parents.

 

Exception in compliance may also apply to any person who is unable to comply due to a shortage in the supply of available vaccinations.

 

No teacher or school employee or administrator shall distinguish between students based on whether a student has or has not received vaccines from the schedules provided for in this policy. Actions prohibited include but are not limited to discrimination based on a student's vaccination status in any of the following acts:

 

  1. Determination of eligibility for athletics or other extracurricular activity.

  2. Allowing or denying participation inside and outside of the classroom.

  3. Issuance of surveys to students relative to vaccination status.

  4. Organizing seating arrangements.

 

EXCLUSION FROM ATTENDANCE

 

If an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease occurs, upon the recommendation of the state Office of Public Health, school administrators may exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired, or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no student shall be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of initial enrollment or continuing attendance at any school in the Iberia Parish School District.

 

PROCEDURE FOR VERIFICATION OF IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

 

The names of students whose immunization records are incomplete shall be given to the principal/assistant principal in order to notify the parents.  After an official notice signed by the principal or the assistant principal, the student shall have a period of one month to present an in-progress or completed record.  If at the end of this period neither is presented, the student shall not be allowed to remain in school until such time as the conditions stated are met.

 

In the process of notification, the following steps shall be taken by the school:

 

  1. Any student found to be in non-compliance with the immunization requirements shall be given a letter to take home to his/her parent(s) indicating a deadline for compliance.

  2. The letter shall have a tear-off section to be returned to the school indicating receipt by the parent.

  3. If the student’s immunization record has not been brought up to date, indicating in-progress or completion by the deadline set, the student shall be prohibited from attending school.

  4. Principals shall maintain a file on returned forms.

 

Revised:  July 17, 2019

Revised:  September 4, 2024

 

 

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:170, 17:170.1, 17:170.2, 17:170.3, 17:170.4

Health and Safety, Bulletin 135, Louisiana Department of Education

Board minutes, 6-02, 7-17-19, 9-4-24

 

Iberia Parish School Board