2021-2022 Immunization Information

This information is taken directly from the 2021-2022 Compass Rose Public Schools Parent/Student Handbook

Immunization Requirements

The State of Texas requires that every child in the state be immunized against vaccine preventable diseases caused by infectious agents in accordance with an established immunization schedule.

To determine the specific number of doses that are required for your student, please read “2021–2022 Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K–12.” For specific immunization requirements, please contact your campus school nurse or health aide or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize/school/.

Proof of immunization may be personal records from a licensed physician or public health clinic with a signature or rubber-stamp validation.

Provisional Enrollment

A student can be enrolled provisionally for no more than 30 days if they transfer from one Texas school to another, and are awaiting the transfer of the immunization record.

A student may be enrolled provisionally if the student has an immunization record that indicates the student has received at least one dose of each specified age-appropriate required vaccine. To remain enrolled, the student must complete the required subsequent doses in each vaccine series on schedule and as rapidly as is medically feasible and provide acceptable evidence of vaccination to the school. Compass Rose shall review the immunization status of a provisionally enrolled student every 30 days to ensure continued compliance in completing the required doses of vaccination. If at the end of the 30-day period, a student has not received a subsequent dose of vaccine, then the student is not in compliance and Compass Rose shall exclude the student from school attendance until the required dose is administered.

A student who is homeless, as defined by the McKinney Act (42 U.S.C. § 11302), shall be admitted temporarily for 30 days if acceptable evidence of vaccination is not available. Compass Rose shall promptly refer the student to appropriate public health programs to obtain the required vaccinations.

Exclusions from Immunization Requirements

Exclusions from immunization requirements are allowable on an individual basis for medical reasons, reasons of conscience (including a religious belief), and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.

To claim exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by the student’s physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student’s household. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.

To claim an exclusion for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, a signed Texas Department of State Health Services (“TDSHS”) affidavit must be presented by the student’s parent, stating that the student’s parent declines vaccinations for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s religious beliefs. The affidavit will be valid for a period of two years. The form affidavit may be obtained by writing the TDSHS Immunization Branch (MC 1946), P.O. Box 149347, Austin, Texas 78714-9347, or online at https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/default.aspx. The form must be submitted to the School Leaders within 90 days from the date it is notarized. If the parent is seeking an exemption for more than one student in the family, a separate form must be provided for each student. Students, who have not received the required immunizations for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.

To claim exclusion for armed forces, the student must prove that they are serving on active duty with the armed forces of the United States.

Immunization Records Reporting

The school’s record of a student’s immunization history, while private in most instances, may be inspected by the Texas Education Agency, local health departments, and TDSHS and transferred to other schools associated with the transfer of the student to those schools.