With the recent outbreak of measles on the rise across the country questions about immunization requirements have become a hot topic of debate.
At present no cases of measles have been reported in New Hampshire in this recent outbreak, but how likely is that to change? According to a recent story by WMUR's Josh McElveen, Health officials attribute New Hampshire’s clean health record largely to an immunization rate that is among the highest in the country. (published 2/4/15, www.WMUR.com). The State Department of Health and Human Services, indicates more than 97% of school age children in New Hampshire have received the state required immunizations for diseases ranging from the measles to polio.
So what is the law regarding immunization of children in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires mandatory vaccination for children attending School or daycare in New Hampshire, with two permitted exemptions: religious and medical. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website www.dhhs.nh.gov details New Hampshire's mandated vaccinations and provides guidance as to the standards for medical and religious exemption.
Medical exemptions are available to parents or legal guardians of a child for whom immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health. In order to obtain a medical exemption certificate the parent or legal guardian must acquire written documentation from a licensed physician or authorized healthcare provider that certifies that immunization against a particular disease may be detrimental to the child's health. The exemption shall exist only for the length of time, in the opinion of the physician; such immunization will be detrimental to the child. Moreover, an exemption from immunization for one disease shall not affect other required immunizations. In other words, an inability to undergo one particular type of immunization does not automatically entitle a child to an exemption from all immunizations across the board.
New Hampshire residents are also eligible to obtain an exemption certificate based upon a sincerely held religious belief that prohibits vaccination. A notarized copy of a certificate of religious exemption is required to legally exempt a child from New Hampshire’s mandated vaccines. The required certificate of religious exemption form can be downloaded from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website.
Exempt children can be prevented from attending school or child care under certain circumstances. While religious and medical exemptions are available, in the event that there is an outbreak of a communicable disease for which immunization is required, children exempted under either of these provisions shall not attend the school or child care agency threatened by the communicable disease.
More Information is available. For even more information about New Hampshire immunization and the available exemption's you can visit the NH Department of Health and Human Services, www.dhhs.nh.gov , the NH Department of Education www.education.NH.gov
The Department of Education addresses some of the frequently asked questions about this law. Here are a few of the questions and answers they provide:
May a school enroll a child if they are not up-to-date on their vaccinations?
Yes, the school can conditionally enroll a child if the parent or guardian can provide evidence of at least one dose of the required vaccine and documentation of an appointment date to receive the next dose. The date of the appointment may be considered a date of exclusion if the parent does not keep the appointment.
What are the requirements for home schooled children?
There are no state rules that require immunizations for home schooled students. However RSA 193:1-e states the local school board may adopt a policy regulating participation in curricular courses and Co-curricular programs (for example clubs, athletics, performing groups), as long as the policy is not more restrictive than the policy governing the school district's resident policies. Therefore, the school board made draft a policy that requires immunizations for those students to choose to participate in some of the programs offered by the public school.
What about homeless students?
The McKinney Vento act requires that all homeless children be enrolled in school immediately to minimize the disruption to their lives. If possible, medical records can be requested from previous schools and or primary care providers, but children should not be kept from attending school while awaiting those records. If immunizations were not done, the initial doses should be administered as soon as possible. Again, the child cannot be kept from attending school while awaiting these immunizations except in the case of a disease outbreak.
If a family has little money, there ways that they can get low cost immunizations?
There are places and ways to acquire free or low cost vaccinations for those who cannot afford them. The department of Health and Human Services provides a list of free vaccines for children in New Hampshire. Community health centers also provide services on a sliding scale and the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services may be able to help families find access to additional medical or other assistance.