Exemption certificate requires health care provider
signature
SPRINGFIELD – Parents or legal guardians who
object, for religious reasons, to their child being immunized for school
entrance must submit a Certificate of Religious Exemption, which now must be
signed by a health care provider. Signed into law on August 3, 2015, this
new legislation requires a health care provider to sign the certificate
confirming they have provided education to the parents or legal guardians about
the benefits of immunizations and the health risks of not vaccinating students.
“Vaccines not only help protect vaccinated individuals,
but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of
infectious diseases,” said Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director
Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Because vaccines are not always 100 percent
effective, it is important that as many people as possible are immunized to
decrease the amount of disease circulating and help prevent illness and
possibly even death.”
Educational information given by health care providers
may include nationally accepted recommendations from federal agencies such as
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, information from vaccine
information statements, and vaccine package inserts.
“We recognize the importance of providing an option for
religious exemption, but we also understand there must be a balance between
family rights and the health of all students,” said State Superintendent of
Education Tony Smith, Ph.D. “This certificate ensures that parents and
students are fully aware of the risks of not being immunized.”
The certificate also reflects the parents or legal
guardians understanding that their child may be excluded from school in the
case of a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or exposure. Parents or
legal guardians must submit the certificate to their local school authority
prior to children entering kindergarten, sixth grade, and ninth grade.
This new requirement will be in place for religious exemption requests
beginning October 16, 2015.
The new Certificate of Religious Exemption form will soon
be available on both the IDPH and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
websites.
###
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Public
Information Officer
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
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