Immunization Requirements

 

California School Immunization Law requires that children be up-to-date on their immunizations to attend school. A copy of your child's completed immunization card must be submitted prior to the start of school.

COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Information:

On October 1, 2021, Governor Newsom announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be added to the list of required school vaccinations as a condition for participating in in-person learning in California's public and private schools. To read more information about the Governor's announcement, please click here.

 

On Monday, November 8, the Diocese of Orange released a statement regarding the potential COVID vaccine mandate. Below is a summary of the contents of that letter. Click Here to read the full letter.

 

If the governor’s plan to require the COVID-19 vaccine is codified by the legislature it is has the potential to take effect in January 2023. The legislature may or may not include a personal belief exemption. At this point, we have no information indicating how the state legislature will proceed.

 

The Diocese of Orange will uphold the law and will not deviate from public health mandates, including both masks and vaccines. Both the law and public health mandates apply to all schools: public, private, religious, and charter.

 

Notice to Parents and Guardians about Vaccine Exemptions

Under a new law known as SB 277, beginning January 1, 2016 exemptions based on personal beliefs, including religious beliefs, will no longer be an option for the vaccines that are currently required for entry into child care or school in California.  Most families will not be affected by the new law because their children have received all required vaccinations. Personal beliefs exemptions on file for a child already attending childcare or school will remain valid until the child reaches the next immunization checkpoint at kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) or 7th grade.

For more information about SB 277, please see the Frequently Asked Questions by CLICKING HERE.

 

In addition to immunizations, California Department of Health Services requires students entering 1st grade to submit a Report Of Health Examination Form (available below) completed by a licensed health care provider.  The law allows for the health examination to be completed up to 18 months prior to entry into first grade or within 90 days thereafter.  A copy of the form can be printed from the attachment below.