Does the new administrative rule change affect both public and private schools?

Yes. The new rule change applies to all children who are enrolled in public or private:

• Licensed childcare, preschool, and Head Start programs.
• Kindergarten, 7th grade, and any newly enrolled student into the school district.

Can a student attend school without a waiver if they have started a vaccine series, but needs to wait until they can get the next or last dose?

Yes. A student can provisionally attend school without a waiver if he/she is not yet eligible for the next dose and the parent/guardian plan to have the child complete the vaccine series. If a student has begun a vaccine series and is eligible to receive another dose, they must receive that dose or the parent/guardian must submit a waiver.

Who should keep the original copy of a nonmedical (philosophical/religious) waiver?

A nonmedical waiver provided by the Oakland County Health Division will be given to the parent/guardian. They are responsible for submitting the original to school, and the school will keep the original on file.

If a child enters a new district during the same school year that they already received a nonmedical (philosophical/religious) waiver, do they need to submit an updated nonmedical waiver to the new school district?

Yes. Contact the Immunization Action Plan office at 248-858-1413 for further details.

Can public school districts refuse to enroll students who do not have a waiver or documentation of complete vaccination history on file?

Yes. Public school districts can set their own individual enrollment policies keeping within minimum state program mandates. Complete, provisional, or waivered immunization records must be on file for 90% of all assessed students by November 1st and 95% by February 1st.

When must a school receive a complete, provisional, or waivered immunization record for students?

Oakland County Health Division strongly recommends that students not be enrolled until a complete, provisional, or waivered immunization record is on file with the school.

Can schools and child care centers refuse to enroll students who present with a vaccination waiver?

Private schools and child care centers may set forth their own admissions requirements as it relates to immunization records. Some private schools and child care centers only accept medical waivers. After some vaccine preventable disease exposures, students with vaccination waivers on file may be excluded for a period of time.

Can a school release or post how many children have a vaccination waiver on file?

Yes. Schools may release or post aggregate counts of how many vaccination waivers are on file if they choose to do so. These are also posted online on the State of Michigan's website.

What does an official nonmedical waiver from the Oakland County Health Division look like?

The State of Michigan immunization waiver form with a revision date for the current calendar year will be stamped with an Oakland County seal and signed by an Oakland County Health Division staff member. No revisions, edits, strike-through of the text on the waiver can be accepted. Editing the text in any way on the waiver form nullifies it.

Do students need a new waiver each year?

Only students entering kindergarten, 7th grade, or new school district or children enrolled in childcare program need to have a waiver submitted. The waiver must have a revision date for the current calendar year.

If a child continues to be enrolled at the same childcare, preschool, or head start program for consecutive years, do they need a new waiver each year?

Yes, a new waiver is needed each year your child is enrolled at a childcare, preschool, or Head Start program.

Does a home-schooled student or student attending a virtual school need to get a vaccination waiver?

If the student is enrolled in a school district for any program and they are entering kindergarten, 7th grade, or are a new student to the district, a complete, provisional, or waivered immunization record must be submitted.

What information should a school give a parent/guardian who wants a vaccination waiver for their child?

Parents/guardians of children with medical reasons to not receive vaccinations should consult their healthcare provider. For waivers based on religious or philosophical beliefs, parents/guardians should contact Nurse On Call at 248-858-1406 (1-800-848-5533 toll free).

• Alana’s Foundation
• Emily Stillman Foundation
• Franny Strong Foundation

• School Immunization Data

• AIM Toolkit
• Immunization Schedule
• OCHD Immunization Fees