LAC 28:LXXIX.1101. Immunization

A. Each student entering any school within the state for the first time, at the time of registration or entry, shall present satisfactory evidence of immunity to or immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases according to a schedule approved by the Office of Public Health (OPH), Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), parental dissent, or shall present evidence of an immunization program in progress. 1. The schedule shall include, but not be limited to measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, and hemophilus influenzae Type B invasive infections. 2. The schedule may provide specific requirements based on age, grade in school, or type of school. At its own discretion, and with the approval of the OPH, a school system or school may require immunizations or proof of immunity more extensive than required by the schedule approved by the OPH. B. A student transferring from another school in or out of the state shall submit either a certificate of immunization or a letter from his personal physician or a public health clinic indicating immunizations against the diseases in the schedule approved by OPH having been performed, or a statement that such immunizations are in progress. C. If booster immunizations for the diseases enumerated in the schedule approved by the OPH are advised by that office, such booster immunizations shall be administered before the student enters a school system within the state. D. The school principal or chief administrator shall be responsible for checking student records to ensure that the requirements of this Section are enforced. 1. The school principal or chief administrator shall ensure immunization records and compliance reports are electronically transmitted to the OPH through the Louisiana Immunization Network for Kids Statewide (LINKS) when the school operates an existing student-specific electronic data system. E. No student attending or seeking to enter any school shall be required to comply with the provisions of this Section if the student or the student’s parent or guardian submits either a written statement from a physician stating that the procedure is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written dissent from the student or the student’s parent or guardian is presented. F. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease at the location of a school, the principal is empowered, upon the recommendation of the OPH, to exclude from attendance unimmunized students until the appropriate disease incubation period has expired or the unimmunized person presents evidence of immunization. G. Meningococcal Disease Immunization 1. Students entering sixth grade shall provide evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into the sixth grade at any school in the state. 2. A student who is 11 years old and is entering a grade other than the sixth grade and a student who is 16 years old and is entering a grade other than eleventh grade must provide satisfactory evidence of current immunization against meningococcal disease as a condition of entry into such grade at any school in the state. 3. Meningococcal disease immunization requirements shall not apply to students whose parent or legal guardian have submitted either a signed waiver stating that the student shall not be immunized against meningococcal disease for personal reasons, a written statement from a physician stating that the immunization is contraindicated for medical reasons, or a written explanation indicating the student is unable to comply due to a shortage of available vaccines against meningococcal disease. H. Any communication issued to persons, parents, or guardians regarding immunization requirements for a student attending or seeking to enter any school shall include information regarding immunization exemptions pursuant to Subsection E of this Section. I. No teacher, school employee, or administrator shall discriminate based on a student’s vaccine status to determine eligibility or participation in any classroom, school, or extracurricular activity, including organizing seating arrangements or issuing surveys to students relative to vaccine status. J. No person shall be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of initial enrollment or continuing attendance at any nonpublic school or facility. K. Prior to student participation in activities, programs, presentations, or lessons during which information regarding immunizations is shared, notification and the opportunity to exempt students from participation in the activity shall be provided to parents or guardians. 1. Notification shall be provided for all individuals presenting information including, but not limited to, school/school district personnel and/or a contracted or volunteer non-school person. 2. On-campus vaccine clinics, including school–based health centers where immunizations will be administered, shall be in compliance with the provisions of this Subsection.