Vaccine Information for Families

Vaccine information for Families

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and/or philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine required for school attendance.

Washington state law (Washington state law RCW 28A.210.080 and rules, WAC 392-380-045 and WAC 246-105-020) also requires that students are fully vaccinated, be in the process of completing immunizations, or have a signed Certificate of Exemption (religious or medical exemption) in order to attend school. Read the King County immunization schedule for children.

Families of students whose records are not up to date or are missing information will be notified via email, postal mail, and a letter home from your child’s school.

Next Steps if You Receive the Exclusion Letter from Health Services

If your child has received the required immunizations and you have a medically verified record from your health care provider, please scan and email to immunizations@seattleschools.org or bring the record to your child’s school nurse. Please make sure to keep a copy for your records.

If your child has NOT received these immunizations, bring the letter and your child’s immunization record to your child’s health care provider to get vaccinated and provide vaccination verification to your child’s school nurse when complete.

If your child has an upcoming appointment to get vaccinated with your health care provider, let your school nurse know of the appointment date.

If you have medical or religious reasons for not vaccinating your child, bring a completed Certificate of Exemption form to your child’s school. Note: as of July 28, 2019, Personal exemption is no longer allowed for the MMR (Measles, Mumps Rubella) per Washington House Bill 1638.

If you have a lab report from your health care provider that shows that your child is already immune to the disease, email or bring the report or documentation of immunity to your child’s school nurse.

Special Education Students

Students receiving special education services shall be treated the same as all other students with regards to their immunization status. Most scenarios will not require provision of compensatory education as it is the parent’s failure to comply with the law. Should there be questions as to parental notification of the student’s immunization status, please contact the special education supervisor or legal counsel to decide next steps.

Getting Help and Immunization Clinics

School-based Health Centers

There are 30 school-based health centers in Seattle Public Schools. Nurses at these clinics can help families of students who still need vaccinations. See a list of King County School-based Health Centers.

Seattle Public Schools Health Services Department

For more information about required immunizations visit the Seattle Public Schools Health Services Immunizations webpage.

Check your Child’s Immunization Record

Washington state residents: You can download a copy of your child’s immunization record by going to MyIR immunization records website. You must register for an account and then log in. Go to “MyImmunizations” at the top of the page and click the “Certificate of Immunization” button to download the pre-filled CIS. Save to your computer.

You can also call or email the Department of Health office at WAIISRecords@doh.wa.gov or 1-866-397-0337.

For out-of-state student immunization records, visit Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website to find the contact information for your state.