Exemptions to State School Vaccination Requirements

Background:
As a result of the nation's successful vaccination program, measles elimination (i.e., interruption of endemic measles transmission) was declared in the United States in 2000. Importation of measles from other countries continues to occur and be a source of measles cases in the United States. In 2008, there were more than twice the average number of measles cases reported each year since 2000. A number of these measles cases were in school aged children who were not vaccinated against measles because of their parents' religious or philosophical beliefs.
State legislation varies in the types of exemptions to school vaccination requirements, and the process for obtaining exemptions also varies. This may lead to geographical differences in vaccination coverage rates and vaccine-preventable disease trends.

Setting:
State government and schools

Population:
School-age children

Project Description:
A panel of speakers representing national and state organizations will outline the differences between legislative approaches to exemptions for school vaccination requirements. Also discussed will be the impact of exemptions and the processes by which exemptions may be obtained on vaccination coverage rates and vaccine-preventable disease trends.

Results/Lessons Learned:
Partners and Immunization Programs will learn about exemptions to state school vaccination requirements and the impact on public health of such exemptions. The state legislative analysis will be useful for programs considering changes to their exemption legislation or processes.