North Carolina Immunization Requirements
(Updated
January 1994)
Authority: Public Health, N. C. Gen. Slat. 13OA- 152 to 157. Health: Epidemiology, N. C. Admin. Code tit. 15A, r. 19A.0400 to .0404.
General Rule: Every child present in this State shall be immunized against the designated diseases. NCGS 13OA-152. 'No child shall attend a school (K-12), whether public, private or religious, or a day care facility,' unless a certificate indicating that the child has received immunization against the designated disease 'is presented to the school or facility.' NCGS 13OA-155(a).
Exceptions: There are two statutory exceptions:
1) If a doctor certifies that a required immunization is or may be detrimental to a person's health, the person is not required to receive the specified immunization as long as the contraindication persists. NCGS 13OA-156.
2) Upon submission of a written statement of the bona fide religious beliefs and opposition to the immunization requirements, the person may attend school without presenting a certificate of immunization. NCGS 13OA-157.
No child shall be exempt from immunization requirements for the case of a personal belief or philosophy of a parent or guardian not founded upon a religious belief.' NCAC T15A:19A.0403.
Certificate: A physician or local health department administering a required vaccine shall give a certificate of immunization to the person who presented the child.' NCGS 13OA-154.
Procedure: If a certificate is not presented on the first day, the principal or operator shall present a notice of deficiency to the parent or guardian. The parent or guardian will then have 30 days to comply. If more than 30 days is required to administer a series of vaccines, additional time will be granted. 'Upon termination of 30 calendar days or the extended period, the principal or operator shall not permit the child to attend school, unless the required immunization has been obtained.' NCGS 13OA-155(a).
Designated Diseases: Diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, red measles (rubeola), rubella and any other disease upon a determination of the Commission. NCGS 13OA-152(a).
Responsibility of Parents: 'If a child has not received the required immunizations by the specified age, the responsible person shall obtain the required immunization for the child as soon as possible after the lack of the required immunization is dated. " NCOS f 13OA-152(a),
Graduate School: Except for medical and religious exemptions, 'no person shall attend a College or university, whether public, private, or religious, unless a certificate of immunization or a record of immunization from a high school located in North Carolina indicating that the person has received the immunizations required is presented to the college or university. NCGS 13OA- 155. 1 (a).