Mandatory Regulatory Procedures:
Immunization
All students shall be immunized against specific diseases in accordance with state and municipal law and regulations, unless specifically exempt for religious or medical reasons or provisionally admitted in accordance with the administrative procedures to this policy. [1][2][4][5][6][7][8][9]
A certificate of immunization shall be maintained as part of the health record for each student, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.[3]
A student who has not been immunized in accordance with state and municipal law and regulations shall not be admitted to or permitted to attend district schools or programs, unless exempted for medical or religious reasons or provisionally admitted by the Superintendent or designee.[1][3][4][5]
A student shall be exempt from immunization requirements whose parent/guardian objects in writing to such immunization on religious grounds or whose physician certifies that the student's medical condition contraindicates immunization.[1][4][5][6]
Monitoring of immunization requirements shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or designee, and the building principal.[1]
Students attending child care group settings located in a school, a pre-kindergarten program, or an early intervention program operated by the Ddistrict shall be immunized in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Students in District-run Head Start and pre-kindergarten programs must provide proof of immunization within 60 days of enrollment. the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) standards.[5][7][10][11]
The Superintendent or designee shall:
Annually, or whenever necessary, review state and municipal standards for immunization and direct the responsible district personnel accordingly.Ensure that parents/guardians are informed prior to a student's entry to school of the requirements for immunization, the requisite proof of immunization, exemption available for religious or medical reasons, and means by which such exemptions may be claimed.[1][3][4][6][8][9]Investigate and recommend to the SRC district-sponsored programs of immunization that may be warranted to safeguard the health of the school community. Such program shall be subject to SRC approval and may be conducted in cooperation with local health agencies.Report immunization data on the required form to the Pennsylvania Department of Health by October 15 of each year.[10]
Exemptions from Immunization Requirements
Students may be exempt from immunization requirements, in accordance with state law and regulations, as outlined in the administrative procedures to this policy. [1][7]
The Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health may also issue a temporary waiver of immunization requirements in the following circumstances:
? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services, recognizes a nationwide shortage of supply for a particular vaccine; or
? In the event of a disaster impacting the ability of children transferring into a school to provide immunization records. [4]
Provisional Admission
Exemptions
If permitted by law or regulation, a student shall be exempt from immunization requirements whose parent/guardian objects in writing to such immunization on religious grounds, or on strong moral or philosophical grounds that rise to the level of religious belief, or whose physician certifies in writing that the student’s current medical condition contraindicates immunization. [1][5][6][7]
Students Experiencing Homelessness
Students experiencing homelessness who have not been immunized or are unable to provide immunization records due to homelessness shall be admitted in accordance with the provisions of applicable laws and regulations. [12]
Students in Foster Care
Students in foster care shall be admitted in accordance with law and regulations and have thirty (30) days from the first day of attendance at a school in the District to provide proof of immunization compliance, to provide a medical certificate detailing the plan to complete a multiple dose vaccine services, or to satisfy the requirements for an exemption. [13]
Transferring Students
Students transferring into the District have thirty (30) days from the day of enrollment in the District to provide proof of immunization compliance, to provide a medical certificate detailing the plan to complete a multiple dose vaccine series, or to satisfy the requirements for an exemption.
Nonimmunized Children
Students who are missing one or more doses of a vaccine required for attendance at school shall not be permitted to attend District schools unless an exemption applies or the student is provisionally admitted. [4][14][15]
The District may exclude from school any student who is not properly immunized during an outbreak of a communicable disease against which the student has not been immunized regardless of an otherwise applicable exemption.
Communicable Diseases
The SRC authorizes that students Students who have been diagnosed with or are suspected by their physician of having by a physician or are suspected of having a certain diseases and/or infectious conditions disease by School Health Services shall be excluded from school for the period indicated by regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Philadelphia Department of Public Health for specified diseases for certain specified diseases and infectious conditions. [11][12][13][16][17][18]
Parents/Guardians shall be notified of this policy at the beginning of the school year, and that during the school year it may be necessary for a student to be excluded from school due to communicable disease.
Parents/Guardians of a student needing to be excluded shall be notified and required to come to school or have a designated emergency contact come to school to transport the student home or to an appropriate place of care. Students may return to school when the criteria for readmission following a communicable disease, as set forth in law, regulations, or guidance from the state or the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, have been met. [19][20][21]
The Board directs school staff to request emergency contact information from parents/guardians of students at the beginning of each school year and request that it be updated as necessary during the school year.
School The Office of Student Health Services shall report the presence of suspected communicable diseases to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Philadelphia Department of Public Health. [14][15][16][19][20][21][22]
The Superintendent or designee shall direct that health guidelines and universal precautions designed to minimize the transmission of communicable diseases be implemented in Ddistrict schools.
Instruction regarding prevention of communicable and life-threatening diseases shall be provided by the schools in the educational program for all levels, in accordance with state regulations. [17][23]
Parents/Guardians shall be informed and provided opportunities during school hours to review all curriculum materials used in instruction relative to communicable and life-threatening diseases, in accordance with Board Policy. [17][18][19][23][24][25]
Health Records
The school shall maintain a certificate of immunization as part of the health record for each student, as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and in accordance with District policies. [4]
A comprehensive health record shall be maintained in the district-sanctioned Student Information System for each student enrolled in the Ddistrict. The record shall include the results of required tests, measurements, screenings, regular and special examinations, and medical questionnaires. [20][21][26][27]
All health records shall be confidential, and their contents shall be divulged only when necessary for the health of the student or to a physician at the written request of the parent/guardian. [22][23] The District may disclose information from health records to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency when necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals, in accordance with applicable law and Board policy. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34]
Student health records shall be retained for at least the minimum of two years or what is required by law and in accordance with Board policy. [28][35]
Communications about Requirements and Resources
The Superintendent or designee, through the Office of Student Support Services, shall inform parents/guardians prior to a student’s enrollment and as needed after a student’s enrollment of the following: [1][4][5][6][7][14][15]
? The requirements for immunization;
? The acceptable proof of immunization;
? Available exemptions and means by which such exemptions may be claimed;
? Resources available in the community to assist with immunizations; and
? Potential consequences for failure to comply with immunization requirements.