This memo is to alert you about the change in laws regarding immunizations and exemptions. The information contained here is from the Shots for Schools website. https://www.shotsforschool.org/laws/exemptions/
Under Senate Bills (SB) 276 and SB 714 (Pan, 2019), all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME beginning January 1, 2021. Medical exemptions can only be issued by MDs or DOs licensed in California and must meet applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) criteria. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/general-recs/index.html
If your child has a medical exemption, the rules have changed. However for the gateway grades of TK/K and 7th exemptions must now be received from the State’s new program the California Immunization Registry- Medical Exemptions program, CAiR-ME. If your child is beyond the gateway grades TK /K or 7th, such as in 3rd or 9th, then the exemption is still valid, Unless it has expired by date or if the physician granting the exemption has a suspended license for granting exemptions.
A medical exemption filed at a school remains valid until the earliest of:
- When the child enrolls in the next grade span (TK/K-6th grade, 7th-12th grade)
- The expiration date specified in a temporary medical exemption
- Revocation of the exemption because the issuing physician has been subject to disciplinary action from the physician’s licensing entity.
Exemptions issued by Dr. Ron Kennedy, who has been disciplined, are no longer valid. Also, exemptions from Dr. Mary Kelly Sutton, who has been accused, but not suspended at this time, are still considered valid, for now.
West Side is required to monitor the immunization records. Please note that “personal belief” exemptions have not been allowed since 2016.
Thank you.