2012 Vermont Statutes
Title 18 Health
Chapter 21 COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
§ 1122 Exemptions

§ 1122. Exemptions

(a) Notwithstanding subsections 1121(a) and (b) of this title, a person may remain in school or in the child care facility without a required immunization:

(1) If the person or, in the case of a minor, the person's parent or guardian presents a form created by the department and signed by a licensed health care practitioner authorized to prescribe vaccines or a health clinic stating that the person is in the process of being immunized. The person may continue to attend school or the child care facility for up to six months while the immunization process is being accomplished;

(2) If a health care practitioner, licensed to practice in Vermont and authorized to prescribe vaccines, certifies in writing that a specific immunization is or may be detrimental to the person's health or is not appropriate, provided that when a particular vaccine is no longer contraindicated, the person shall be required to receive the vaccine; or

(3) If the person or, in the case of a minor, the person's parent or guardian annually provides a signed statement to the school or child care facility on a form created by the Vermont department of health that the person, parent, or guardian:

(A) holds religious beliefs or philosophical convictions opposed to immunization;

(B) has reviewed and understands evidence-based educational material provided by the department of health regarding immunizations, including information about the risks of adverse reactions to immunization;

(C) understands that failure to complete the required vaccination schedule increases risk to the person and others of contracting or carrying a vaccine-preventable infectious disease; and

(D) understands that there are persons with special health needs attending schools and child care facilities who are unable to be vaccinated or who are at heightened risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable communicable disease and for whom such a disease could be life-threatening.

(b) The health department may provide by rule for further exemptions to immunization based upon sound medical practice.

(c) A form signed pursuant to subdivision (a)(3) of this section and the fact that such a form was signed shall not be:

(1) construed to create or deny civil liability for any person; or

(2) admissible as evidence in any civil proceeding. (Added 1979, No. 40; amended 1981, No. 18, § 3; 2007, No. 204 (Adj. Sess.), § 7; 2011, No. 157 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)