File: JLCB - Immunization of Students

NOTE: While Colorado school districts are not required by law to adopt a policy on this subject, some content in this sample reflects legal requirements school districts must follow. This sample contains the content/language that CASB believes best meets the intent of the law. However, the district should consult with its own legal counsel to determine appropriate language that meets local circumstances and needs.

The Board directs the superintendent or designee(s) to annually provide parents/guardians of each student enrolled in the district a copy of the standardized immunization document developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The standardized immunization document includes a list of required and recommended immunizations and the age at which each immunization should be given, the school´s specific immunization and exemption rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine [optional: the school may also include immunization and vaccination rates for any other vaccine] for the school´s enrolled student population for the previous school year compared to the vaccinated children standard, and a statement that the school is required to collect and report the information, but the school does not control the school´s specific immunization rates or establish the vaccinated children standard.

No student is permitted to attend or continue to attend any school in this district without meeting the legal requirements of immunization against disease unless the student has presented one of the following, as provided by law:

• a written authorization signed by a parent/guardian requesting local public health officials administer the immunizations;

• a certificate of medical exemption;

• a certificate of completion of the online education module administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; or

• a certificate of nonmedical exemption.

Students who do not submit an up-to-date certificate of immunization, a written authorization signed by one parent/guardian requesting local public health officials to administer the immunizations, or a valid certificate of medical or nonmedical exemption will be suspended and/or expelled from school according to this policy´s accompanying regulation.

All information distributed to parents/guardians by the district will inform them of their rights to seek an exemption from immunization requirements.

(Adoption date)

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. 22-32-140 (annual distribution of standardized immunization document required)

C.R.S. 22-33-106 (grounds for suspension, expulsion and denial of admission)

C.R.S. 25-4-901 et seq. (school entry immunizations)

6 CCR 1009-2 (school immunization requirements)

CROSS REFS.: JF, Admission and Denial of Admission

JFABE*, Students in Foster Care

JKD/JKE, Suspension/Expulsion of Students (and Other Disciplinary Interventions)

JRA/JRC, Student Records/Release of Information on Students

NOTE 1: In accordance with state law, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has developed and provided to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) a standardized immunization document regarding childhood immunizations. CDE shall post an updated standardized immunization document on its website on or before January 15th annually. C.R.S. 25-4-902.

NOTE 2: Districts may determine the method of distribution for the standardized immunization document. Solely posting the document on the school district´s website or in a central area of the school is not sufficient to satisfy the notice requirement, however, each school district is encouraged to post a copy of the document on its website. C.R.S. 22-32-140.

NOTE 3: State law requires schools to make the immunization and exemption rates of their enrolled student population "publicly available upon request." C.R.S. 25-4-903 (5). The CDPHE has created a worksheet to assist schools in determining their immunization and exemption rates. To access this worksheet and related information, visit the CDPHE´s website, https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe.

NOTE 4: State law also requires schools, on or by February 15, 2021 and every year thereafter, to include on the standardized immunization document the school´s specific immunization and exemption rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine for the school´s enrolled student population for the previous school year compared to the vaccinated children standard of 95%. C.R.S. 25-4-902 (4)(b).

[Revised June 2021]