This URL will give you the Pennsylvania law on both religious and medical exemption, as well as the form to fill in and print for the exemption.

PA 28§ 23.84. Exemption for immunization. [2002-2003]

(a) Medical exemption. Children need not be immunized if a physician or designee provides a written statement that immunization may be detrimental to the health of the child. When the physician determines that immunization is no longer detrimental to the health of the child, the child shall be immunized according to this subchapter.

(b) Religious exemption. Children need not be immunized if the parent, guardian or emancipated child objects in writing to the immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief.

                                        RULES AND REGULATIONS
                                    Title 28--HEALTH AND SAFETY
                                        DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
                                        [28 PA. CODE CH. 23]
                                         School Immunization
                                           [31 Pa.B. 5525]

Chester County Immunization Requirements

	601 Westtown Road, Suite 290 P.O. Box 2747   West Chester,  PA  19380-0990 (610) 344-6225 (24-hour phone) 1-800-692-1100 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)  FAX (610) 344-6727 "Protecting You and Your Environment"

Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following vaccines                                             3 doses of tetanus*                     3 doses of diphtheria*                                             3 doses of polio                          2 doses of measles**                                             1 dose of mumps**                    1 dose of rubella (German measles)** Children ENTERING SCHOOL (at K or grade 1) need the following vaccines:     4 doses of tetanus* (one dose on or after the 4th birthday)                  3 doses of polio     4 doses of diphtheria (one does on or after the 4th birthday)                2 doses of measles*     1 dose of rubella (German measles)**                                                  1 dose of mumps**     3 doses of hepatitis B                                                                             1 dose of varicella (chikenpox) vaccine or                                                                                                                        history of the disease  Children ENTERING THE 7TH GRADE  need the following vaccines:                                               3 doses of tetanus*                     3 doses of diphtheria*                                               3 doses of polio                           2 doses of measles**                                               1 dose of mumps**                    1 dose of rubella (German measles)**                                               3 doses of hepatitis B                  Age-appropriate doses of varicella (chikenpox) vaccine or                                                                                                     history of the disease *usually given as DTP or DTaP or DT or Td **usually given as MMR The only exemption to the school laws for immunizations are:                                                         medical reasons                              religious beliefs If your child is exempt from immunization, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.  Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA Code Ch 23 (School Immunizations). Return to Immunizations

CCHD Rules & Regulations | Department Overview | Mission Statement | Board of Health | Directions | Volunteer Information | Physician's Newsletters | Chester County Government | Contact Us | Home