Immunizations Guidelines

A student that is transferring from another public school district or private school (within Texas) may be enrolled and given a 30 day provisional enrollment while waiting for records from the previous school. If there are shots required when the record arrives, the student must get the needed shots immediately.

A student that has never attended school before or is transferring from out of the state of Texas will not be able to enroll until an immunization record is provided. If the student shows that he/she has begun the required series of vaccine doses, and he/she continues to receive the doses, as rapidly as medically feasible he/she can be enrolled provisionally for 30 days.

Students identified as homeless will also be given a 30 day provisional enrollment.

Exemptions to Immunization Requirements:

Chapter §97.62 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) describes the conditions under which individuals can seek exemptions from Texas immunization requirements. Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.

For medical exemptions: The law allows physicians to write a statement stating that the vaccine(s) required would be medically harmful or injurious to the health and well-being of the child. The written statement by the physician must be submitted to the school nurse. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong conditions exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date the form was signed by the physician.

For reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs: The law allows parents/guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. The completed and returned form from the Texas DSHS must be submitted to the school nurse. The school will accept only an official affidavit forms developed and issued by the Texas DSHS. The affidavit will be valid for two years. All conscientious and religious exemptions in place prior to 9/1/2003 are considered lifelong exemptions. To obtain the official form, please write to the following address:

Guidelines for Requesting an Exemption for Reasons of Conscience

Parents or guardians need to request a vaccine exemption affidavit form in writing or via a secure online request form. Each child's name and date of birth must be included in the request.

Mailing Address:
Immunization Branch
Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

Hand Delivery:
Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756

Fax:
512.458.7544

Online Request:

https://webds.dshs.state.tx.us/immco/affidavit.shtm

• Hand-delivered requests may be submitted to the DSHS, Immunization Branch, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. ALL affidavit forms will be mailed to you via U.S. Postal Service. Important note: no requests will be filled at the time of hand-delivery.
• Affidavit form requests will be processed and mailed within one week from the receipt of the request. If additional information is needed in order to process the affidavit, you will be notified.
• The letter must include the following information:
  • Full name of each child for whom a form is requested (first, middle, and last);
  • Date of birth of each child for whom a form is requested;
  • Parent or legal guardian's signature and complete return mailing address, including zip code; and
  • Number of forms needed for each child (not to exceed five forms per child)
• Telephone requests cannot be processed.
• The official Texas Department of State Health Services affidavit form must be notarized and submitted to school officials. The form must be submitted within 90 days from the date it is notarized.
• In 2003, the Texas legislature passed changes to the statutes expanding the reasons a parent can claim an exemption. For everyone claiming an exemption for the first time after 9/1/2003, you must comply with the new law. If you have submitted an old religious exemption prior to 9/1/2003, you are grandfathered under the old law and do not need a new form. The vaccine exemption forms for reasons of conscience including a religious belief are only for students claiming a vaccine exemption for the first time after 9/1/2003 when the new law went into effect.
• The school will accept only official affidavit forms developed and issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Immunization Branch. No other forms or reproductions will be allowed.

Immunization Clinics

Immunizations may be obtained from any of the clinics listed on this page. Each clinic requires that the child be accompanied by a parent/guardian. You must bring your child's immunization record with you to the clinic.

• Private physician's office

• Abilene Taylor County Health Department

850 North 6^th

Abilene, Texas 79601

325 692-5600

Immunizations are given Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

$8.00 charge per child

• Dyess Air Force Base

Military dependents only

325 696-1788

* Medical Care Clinic

1857 Pine Street

Abilene, Texas 79601

325 672-5601

First Thursday and third Thursday of each month

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Immunizations are free