Below are the immunization laws for Missouri and Kansas along with the religious exemption forms or procedures for school aged children, who go to school. As a homeschooling parent I don’t see how this applies to our family at all now. Our children aren’t in child care and don’t attend public or private school so if I understand correctly they aren’t required, by law, to be immunized. I had a mama ask me about the laws and forms today and thought I would post this in case anyone would like the information. Initially my husband and I were going to do a delayed schedule of vaccinations starting when my son’s immune system was established at age 3 and then spread them out so his system wouldn’t be inundated. That was also going to give us more time to study the diseases to see which ones we thought were worth getting the vaccine for. My son is seven and so far we have not vaccinated any of our children.
Missouri Immunization Law Review
“Immunization of the person seeking to attend school may not be required prior to attendance at the school, if a notarized affidavit on a prescribed form stating that immunization is contrary to the religious tenets and practices of the signer is submitted to the school administrator. A child in a day care program shall be exempt from immunization requirements if the child’s parent or guardian files a written objection to immunization with the day care administrator. Exemptions shall be accepted by the day care administrator when the necessary information as determined by the department of health and senior services is filed with the day care administrator by the parent or guardian. Exemption forms shall be provided by the department of health and senior services. Medical exemptions are also allowed.” Source
Chapter 167
Pupils and Special Services
Section 167.181 link
1. The department of health and senior services, after consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education, shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the immunization against poliomyelitis, rubella, rubeola, mumps, tetanus, pertussis, diphtheria, and hepatitis B, to be required of children attending public, private, parochial or parish schools. Such rules and regulations may modify the immunizations that are required of children in this subsection. The immunizations required and the manner and frequency of their administration shall conform to recognized standards of medical practice. The department of health and senior services shall supervise and secure the enforcement of the required immunization program.
2. It is unlawful for any student to attend school unless he has been immunized as required under the rules and regulations of the department of health and senior services, and can provide satisfactory evidence of such immunization; except that if he produces satisfactory evidence of having begun the process of immunization, he may continue to attend school as long as the immunization process is being accomplished in the prescribed manner. It is unlawful for any parent or guardian to refuse or neglect to have his child immunized as required by this section, unless the child is properly exempted.
3. This section shall not apply to any child if one parent or guardian objects in writing to his school administrator against the immunization of the child, because of religious beliefs or medical contraindications. In cases where any such objection is for reasons of medical contraindications, a statement from a duly licensed physician must also be provided to the school administrator.
Missouri Immunization Exemption Forms
Kansas Immunization Law Review
“Submit a written statement signed by a parent that the parent is an adherent of a religious denomination whose teachings are opposed to immunizations. Medical exemptions are also allowed. ” Source
Chapter 72
Health Programs
Section 9.72-5209 link
(a) In each school year, every pupil enrolling or enrolled in any school for the first time in this state, and each child enrolling or enrolled for the first time in a preschool or day care program operated by a school, and such other pupils as may be designated by the secretary, prior to admission to and attendance at school, shall present to the appropriate school board certification from a physician or local health department that the pupil has received such tests and inoculations as are deemed necessary by the secretary by such means as are approved by the secretary. Pupils who have not completed the required inoculations may enroll or remain enrolled while completing the required inoculations if a physician or local health department certifies that the pupil has received the most recent appropriate inoculations in all required series. Failure to timely complete all required series shall be deemed non-compliance.
(b) As an alternative to the certification required under subsection (a), a pupil shall present:
(1) An annual written statement signed by a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the child to be such that the tests or inoculations would seriously endanger the life or health of the child, or
(2) a written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent of a religious denomination whose religious teachings are opposed to such tests or inoculations.
The religious exemption may be signed by the parent/legal guardian on the Kansas Certificate of Immunization (KCI).
More forms and details of the laws can be found on the Vaccination Liberation website for Kansas and Missouri.
If you want to learn more about vaccinations and why people are using exemption forms there is a great vaccinations series on Modern Alternative Mama. Check it out. She has a lot of great tips and information.
Biblical reasons not to vaccinate are listed on this website.
Dr. Alyssa Rae Zonarich does a vaccination talk locally every few months. Here is the August 2012 registration form to give you details. Like her facebook page to hear when the next talk is. Very informative and always booked. A great way to be informed on vaccines and diseases.