Laws on School Vaccines
Photo courtesy of www.freepik.com
By Allyson Dix
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
Kentucky state laws require students to show proof of vaccinations for school entry or provide one of two exemptions available. Most people believe only children who are up-to-date on vaccines according to a schedule are allowed to attend school while many are unaware that Kentucky allows for limited exemptions.
Recent communications from Metcalfe County School District for students entering 6th grade in the fall circulated last week to notify parents and guardians of a service offered for students to obtain vaccinations and physicals. However, the letter from Healthy Kids Clinic with Cumberland Family Medical Center nor the school’s announcement in the All Call (a phone call that is generated to parents) mentions any information about vaccine exemptions.
Kentucky state laws are clear that students must show proof of a Certificate of Immunization Status or provide at least one of two exemptions that would not require a student to be given vaccinations.
While there are no laws or regulations requiring schools to provide this information, it is not uncommon for school districts across the state to not include exemption information.
In reviewing both MCS elementary and middle school online policy handbooks for 2024-25, only the elementary handbook mentions immunizations. It states that “Proof of Immunization” … “must be on file before student [sic] is allowed to attend school.”
According to KRS, parents can object to vaccinating their children for school entry based on religious grounds or through medical exemptions.
The communications director with MCS issued a statement to Edmonton Herald-News after questions were posed that were specific to the KRS-protected vaccine exemptions: “Metcalfe County Schools was able to share some information from one of our community partners concerning physicals and immunizations. We are always happy to clarify the state regulations by which we operate. We encourage anyone with questions to contact us or our partners at the Healthy Kids Clinic. Part of our mission is to communicate opportunities that our parents might be interested in and abide by state laws.”
A second attempt and response from Superintendent Josh Hurt provided that he is confident the statement “succinctly and holistically” addressed the specific questions asked.
However, the statement doesn’t clearly address with EHN why parents are not notified about exemptions in communications nor does it clarify, as asked, if parents can provide either the Certificate of Immunizations or one of two allowable exemptions. Instead, it encourages anyone, perhaps excluding the local newspaper, with questions to contact the school or the clinic.
The question as to whether or not the school would reissue a statement informing parents that vaccine exemptions are allowable in place of vaccinating remains unanswered as of press time.
902 KAR 2:060 are the regulations referenced in the school’s statement, and we have no reason to believe regulations are not being followed, but those same regulations provide information on vaccine exemptions.
Yet, the marketing of them to parents and guardians isn’t explained in its entirety by leaving out that vaccine exemptions are allowable for school entry.
As mentioned, it isn’t uncommon for schools to leave out the small yet specific details of the KRS when it comes to “mandated school vaccines.”
KRS allows parents who are opposed to all or select vaccines based on religious beliefs the right to submit a sworn written statement (notarized) or request an exemption form from the school or utilize the Cabinet for Health and Family Services website for form EPID-230A. If a parent or guardian wants to forgo the incriminating language embedded in the forms, the written sworn statement may suffice. However, according to regulations, a written statement “shall” list the immunizations that are being objected.
It is important to note that a religious exemption doesn’t require a specific type of religion or denomination, but a held belief that vaccines and/or the ingredients in vaccines are contrary to their sincere religious beliefs. Furthermore, there are no requirements for any explanation to be given in the state of Kentucky as to how it conflicts with a person’s religious beliefs.
Medical exemptions are also legal in Kentucky and must require a medical physician, APRN, or other medical provider to complete.
These same exemptions are permissible by law at child day care centers, certified family child care homes, licensed facilities that care for children, preschool programs, and public, private primary, or secondary schools.
The appearance of a mandated substance being injected into a person’s body or their child must come with a choice in America and is protected by language in the United States Constitution. And while no laws or regulations are being broken in not providing this information to parents and guardians, it is unclear why school districts indiscriminately omit this information in their communications regarding medical procedures on children.
