It is the policy of the Waynesville R-VI School District that all students attending the district schools shall be immunized in accordance with law.

The district will not allow a student to attend school until the district has satisfactory evidence on file demonstrating that the student has been immunized, that the immunization process has begun and satisfactory progress is being accomplished or that the student is exempted from obtaining immunizations in accordance with law.

Immunization Exceptions
A student is exempted from obtaining immunizations if the district has the completed original forms from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) necessary to prove that the student will not be immunized for religious or medical reasons. An exemption for medical reasons requires certification by a licensed doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy that either the immunization would seriously endanger the child's health or life or that the child has documentation of laboratory evidence of immunity to the disease. An exemption for religious reasons requires written certification from one parent/guardian that immunization of the student violates his or her religious beliefs.

Homeless students, students in the custody of the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services and students in the household of an active duty member of the military who do not have an exemption and cannot provide evidence of having received immunizations required under Missouri law shall be immediately enrolled and given 30 days to provide satisfactory evidence that the student has completed all age-appropriate immunizations or has begun the process of immunization. If the student has begun the process of immunization, the student may continue to attend as long as the process is being accomplished according to the schedule recommended by DHSS.

Failure to Provide Evidence of Required Immunizations
The district will exclude from school all students who are not immunized or exempted as required by law.

The district must report to DHSS the names of any parents/guardians who neglect to immunize their student or refuse to permit the immunization of a nonexempted student. The district will also report to the CD any instance of educational or medical neglect.

Pursuant to law, any contacts with parents/guardians regarding immunizations will also include information about influenza and influenza vaccines.

District-Sponsored Preschool, Daycare Centers and Nursery Schools
No child is permitted to enroll in or attend district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools until the district has satisfactory evidence demonstrating that the child has been immunized unless:

1. There is satisfactory proof that immunizations are in progress and that the process is being accomplished in accordance with the schedule recommended by DHSS; or

2. The student is homeless or in the custody of the CD and cannot provide satisfactory evidence of required immunizations. Such students will be given 30 days to provide satisfactory evidence of completion or evidence that immunizations are in process.

3. A parental, medical or religious exemption is on file. Exemptions must be on original forms from DHSS.

Upon request from a parent/guardian of a student enrolled in or attending district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools, the district will inform the parent/guardian whether any student enrolled or currently attending the facility in which the district-sponsored preschool, daycare center or nursery school is located has an immunization exemption on file. The district will verify only whether any student has an exemption on file. The district will not release any information that would identify a particular student with an exemption or a particular type of exemption.

The district will notify parents/guardians at the time of initial enrollment of their student in district-sponsored preschools, daycare centers or nursery schools that they may request notice from the district as to whether any students currently enrolled in or attending the facility have an immunization exemption on file with the district.

Records
The superintendent or designee shall institute procedures for the maintenance of health records that show the immunization status of every child enrolled or attending in the district and for the completion of all necessary reports in accordance with guidelines prepared by DHSS.

Students Enrolling in the District

1. Students will not be permitted to attend classes until they provide satisfactory evidence of immunization. Students who do not provide satisfactory evidence of immunization will be permitted to attend classes if they provide a statement on the appropriate form from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) that:
      ►          Immunization is medically contraindicated, or
      ►          A parent or legal guardian objects to immunization on religious grounds, or
      ►          The immunization process is in progress.

2. Situations involving homeless students who cannot provide immediate proof of immunization will be handled in accordance with Board policy and the law. Students who are in the household of an active duty member of the military and who cannot provide immediate proof of immunization will be given 30 days to satisfy the requirements of law.
   The school nurse will notify parents/guardians of immunization requirements and provide information regarding where to obtain immunizations.

3. If a student has not provided required evidence of immunization or one of the three exception statements listed above, the nurse will contact the parents/guardians to arrange for the student to obtain the required immunizations. At that time, the nurse will also notify the parent/guardian that failure to provide required evidence of immunization or a statement of an exception within five more school days may result in a report of medical or educational neglect to the Children's Division (CD) of the Department of Social Services.

4. If a student has not provided the required evidence of immunization or a statement of the exceptions listed above within seven school days of enrollment, the nurse will make a neglect report to the CD.

Students with Immunizations in Progress

1. The nurse will monitor the progress of students who have provided evidence that immunizations are in progress.

2. Students who fail to meet their next scheduled immunization appointment will be suspended from attending school until such immunization is obtained or until an exception statement is provided.

3. If evidence of immunization or evidence of exemption from immunization is not provided within three school days of the suspension, the nurse will make a neglect report with the CD.

Students Due for Immunization after Enrollment

1. In cases where a student comes due for immunization after the student is enrolled, the nurse will provide notice to the parents/guardians 30 days prior to the date that proof of immunization is required.

2. If the student has not provided evidence of immunization or a statement of one of the three exceptions above within three school days of the deadline, the nurse will contact the parent/guardian to arrange for the student to obtain the required immunization. The nurse will also notify the parent/guardian that failure to obtain the required immunization will result in the student being excluded from school and may result in a report of medical or educational neglect to the CD.

3. A student who has not obtained the required immunization or provided a statement of exception by the required date will be suspended in accordance with law until such immunization is obtained or until an exception statement is provided.

4. The nurse will make a neglect report to the CD for students who have been suspended for three school days for failure to meet the immunization requirement who still have no proof of immunization or exception statements on file.