A. No minor child shall be admitted to any public, private or parochial school operating in this state unless and until certification is presented to the appropriate school authorities from a licensed physician, or authorized representative of the State Department of Health, that such child has received or is in the process of receiving, immunizations against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), measles (rubeola), rubella, poliomyelitis, varicella and hepatitis A or is likely to be immune as a result of the disease.
B. Immunizations required, and the manner and frequency of their administration, as prescribed by the State Commissioner of Health, shall conform to recognized standard medical practices in the state. The State Department of Health shall supervise and secure the enforcement of the required immunization program. The State Department of Education and the governing boards of the school districts of this state shall render reasonable assistance to the State Department of Health in the enforcement of the provisions hereof.
C. The Commissioner, by rule, may alter the list of immunizations required after notice and hearing. Any change in the list of immunizations required shall be submitted to the next regular session of the Legislature and such change shall remain in force and effect unless and until a concurrent resolution of disapproval is passed. Hearings shall be conducted by the Commissioner, or such officer, agents or employees as the Commissioner may designate for that purpose. The Commissioner shall give appropriate notice of the proposed change in the list of immunizations required and of the time and place for hearing. The change shall become effective on a date fixed by the Commissioner. Any change in the list of immunizations required may be amended or repealed in the same manner as provided for its adoption. Proceedings pursuant to this subsection shall be governed by the Administrative Procedures Act.
D. The State Department of Education and the governing boards of the school districts of this state shall provide for release to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority of the immunization records of school children covered under Title XIX or Title XXI of the federal Social Security Act who have not received the required immunizations at the appropriate time. The information received pursuant to such release shall be transmitted by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to medical providers who provide services to such children pursuant to Title XIX or Title XXI to assist in their efforts to increase the rate of childhood immunizations pursuant to the requirements of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) services provisions. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to prohibit or affect the eligibility of any child to receive benefits pursuant to Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act or to require the immunization of any child if such child is exempt from the immunization requirements pursuant to law. The name of any child exempt from immunization pursuant to Section 1210.192 of this title shall not be included in the information transmitted pursuant to this subsection.
E. The State Department of Education shall provide and ensure that each school district in this state provides, on the school district website and in any notice or publication provided to parents regarding immunization requests, the following information regarding immunization requirements for school attendance: “For school enrollment, a parent or guardian shall provide one of the following:
1. Current, up-to-date immunization records; or
2. A completed and signed exemption form.”
Added by Laws 1970, c. 225, § 1, emerg. eff. April 15, 1970. Amended by Laws 1976, c. 262, § 1, emerg. eff. June 17, 1976; Laws 1998, c. 175, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 1998, c. 412, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1998; Laws 2021, c. 575, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021.
NOTE: Laws 1998, c. 95, § 2 and Laws 1998, c. 177, § 2 repealed by Laws 1998, c. 412, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 1998.