School Staff Immunization FAQ & Resources

It's National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). We are highlighting the importance of protecting infants and young children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

For further school vaccination requirements, etc on guidance and updates, please visit: CDPH IZ Branch: Shots for School

UPDATES:

**NEW UPDATE: Recent reports of measles cases around the country remind us about the importance of vaccination, which provides protection against serious illness.  Learn more at CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks  **

• Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with a cough, runny nose, red eyes, and fever. Then a rash of red spots breaks out. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

I am part of a child care facility or school. Where can I find more information about immunization requirements and reporting?

• All California schools and pre-kindergarten (child care/preschool) facilities are required to assess and annually report the immunization status of their enrollees on CAIR Hub.

•  It’s important to note from the California Immunization Handbook (IMM-365) on page 16 that: “If a child has NOT received all immunization doses which are currently due, the child must NOT be admitted until all doses currently due are received and documentation is provided.  If a child has not received any dose of a required vaccine, a first dose MUST be received prior to admission. ”

• Learn more about California Code of Regulations Title 17, Division 1, Chapter 4, please visit here.

• For FAQS and resources on admission requirements, please visit here.

When was the school immunization reporting deadline in for the 2023-2024 school year?

• The deadline for school immunization reporting WAS on December 22, 2023 (12/22/2023) at CAIR Hub.
• Resources on Immunization Reporting, please visit here.

Where can I find more resources on immunization requirements and catch-up immunization schedule?

• Resources to help implement immunization requirements at your child care facility or school, please visit here.

• Resources on Catch-up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Who Start Late or Who Are More than 1 Month Behind, please visit here.

• Please see the supporting documents below for more information.

Where can I find more information on Ukrainian Immunization records?

• Check out CDPH's guide on: Assessing Ukrainian IZ records (IMM-1470 8/30)

What are schools required to do by the Assembly Bill No. 659 Cancer Prevention Act? 

• Effective January 1, 2024, the Cancer Prevention Act requires that every public and private school notify 6th grade students and their parents/guardians that they are advised to follow current human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization guidelines before starting 8th grade. 

• Schools can use this Template Letter to Parents (WORD DOC) and supplemental Robocall Script​ (PDF) to assist in implementation of the Cancer Prevention Act.
• See changes to the Health and Safety Code and Education Code for more information.
   

What are School Medical and Personal Belief Exemptions?

• The law (Senate Bill No. 277) requires children to be immunized by the first day of school and eliminates the option for personal belief exemptions (PBE) since January 01, 2016.  

• Beginning January 1, 2021 all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME. Medical exemptions can only be issued by MDs or DOs licensed in California and must meet applicable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) criteria. 

• Parents can create an account in CAIR-ME and apply for an exemption. They will then receive an exemption application number to give to their child’s physician, which will then be reviewed by a state panel.

• Learn more about Personal Beliefs FAQ's here.

• Learn more about Medical Exemption FAQ's here.