Ever hear the phrase "No Shots, No School."?
It isn't true.
Ever hear the phrase "No Shots, No School."?
It isn't true.
Kentucky Vaccine Exemptions
|
A vaccine exemption is for those who do not vaccinate or selectively vaccinate. It is to be used in place of an immunization record, for daycares, preschools and/or K-12 schools that are licensed or certified through the state.
The state of Kentucky recognizes two of the three vaccine exemptions offered in the U.S., Medical and Religious. A medical exemption is only available via a doctor. A doctor must fill out the proper form and sign it for it to be valid. But this is done entirely at the doctor's own discretion. Medical exemptions are fairly rare as most doctors, even if sympathetic to reactions, are wary to impart them given the current controversial climate surrounding vaccines. A religious exemption in KY is quite simply a written, sworn statement illustrating that you do not believe in vaccinating based on religious grounds. |
|
Religious Exemption Compliance & KY Law
According to Cabinet for Health and Family Services, it’s up to each school/school district to decide if they will accept just a written statement (which is what state law says) or if they want parents to turn in the official form that CHFS provides. Over-compliance (doing more than what is absolutely required) with state laws and regulations should be avoided at all costs. As such, we now recommend that parents turn in their own written statement first and have it notarized. Don’t sign it until you’re in front of the notary. Most UPS stores, many banks (for customers), and some libraries have notaries on staff. A notary may charge a small fee. You do NOT have to explain your beliefs or even state what religion you follow.
Homeschools in KY are legally defined as private schools and private schools are required to keep either exemptions or immunization records on file. While we are unaware of an instance in which homeschoolers have been asked to produce an exemption for their homeschooled students, we still err on the side of caution and recommend homeschools keep an exemption on file for each student.
Homeschoolers are also now required to turn in an exemption if they participate in school/county-sponsored extra curricular activities, receive special education services through the school district, etc.
If you want to make things easy, here is a written statement that you can print:
http://bit.ly/samplestatement
If, after turning in your written statement, your school contacts you and informs you that they want the official religious exemption form, the form can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7XSNyw76U0XODN0cEZSb1phMkU/view
NOTE: According to state law, ALL public AND private day cares, preschools, head start, and schools (K-12) that are licensed through the state MUST accept exemptions. They don’t get a choice. Period. KRS 214.036 is the law regarding exemptions and 902 KAR 2:060 is the administrative regulation that explains in detail all facilities that have to accept exemptions.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=8778
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/902/002/060.htm
Homeschools in KY are legally defined as private schools and private schools are required to keep either exemptions or immunization records on file. While we are unaware of an instance in which homeschoolers have been asked to produce an exemption for their homeschooled students, we still err on the side of caution and recommend homeschools keep an exemption on file for each student.
Homeschoolers are also now required to turn in an exemption if they participate in school/county-sponsored extra curricular activities, receive special education services through the school district, etc.
If you want to make things easy, here is a written statement that you can print:
http://bit.ly/samplestatement
If, after turning in your written statement, your school contacts you and informs you that they want the official religious exemption form, the form can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7XSNyw76U0XODN0cEZSb1phMkU/view
NOTE: According to state law, ALL public AND private day cares, preschools, head start, and schools (K-12) that are licensed through the state MUST accept exemptions. They don’t get a choice. Period. KRS 214.036 is the law regarding exemptions and 902 KAR 2:060 is the administrative regulation that explains in detail all facilities that have to accept exemptions.
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/Statutes/statute.aspx?id=8778
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/kar/902/002/060.htm