Immunizations: Background and Rationale
Infectious diseases impact all persons regardless of age, sex, lifestyle, ethnic background, and socioeconomic status. These diseases can lead to suffering and death, imposing a financial burden on families and society. School-aged children are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases, resulting in increased absenteeism and the potential for complications that may impact health and learning.
To keep children in schools healthy, the NJDOH establishes specific immunization requirements based on the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of national medical and public health experts convened by the CDC and AAP.
Minimal State Code Requirement for Immunization of Pupils in School (Chapter 14, NJ State Sanitary Code) and N.J.A.C 8:57-4. In order for the Glassboro school district to remain in compliance with these requirements, please note the following:
No child can start attendance at school unless an immunization record is on file. If the immunization record is not up to date, there must be at least one dose of each state required vaccine and the child must be actively in the process of continuing the vaccination series.
-Exceptions to this include:
- Students who are transferring into district from out of state or out of country are alloted a 30 day grace period to submit immunizations. Information must be provided in 30 days for child to continue school attendance.
- Valid Medical Exemption (medically contraindicated): A written, signed statement to the school from a physician or advanced practice nurse (APN) indicating the time period and reason for the medical contraindication based on valid reasons as enumerated by the ACIP or the AAP is required.
- Religious Exemption: The child’s parent/guardian must submit to the school a written, signed statement requesting an exemption based on the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A.26:1A-9.1, and on the grounds that the immunization interferes with the free exercise of the pupil’s religious rights
*For parents of pre-kindergarten students - Please note that preschool students under age 60 months (5 years) are required by NJ to have proof of the flu vaccine between September 1 and December 31, 2022.
*For parents of pre-k students who are going to kindergarten, there are additional kindergarten immunization requirements that must be on file prior to start of kindergarten.
*For parents of sixth grade students- All students entering 6th grade are required to have the TdaP & Meningococcal vaccines prior to the start of the school year.
*Immunizations for children are provided at no cost for those with no health insurance at the Glou Co Dept of Health. Call (856)218-4100