Student Exemption From Mandatory Immunization In New Jersey printable pdf download

Department of Health

Nelson Xavier Cruz,

MS, MBA, HO

Director, Health Services/Health Officer

Email:

Student Exemption From Mandatory Immunization In New Jersey

Quick Fact:

A written statement should be submitted by the student, or the student's parent or guardian if

the student is a minor, explaining how the administration of the vaccine conflicts with the bona

fide religious tenets or practices of the student, or the parent or guardian, as appropriate; except

that a general philosophical or moral objection to the vaccination shall not be sufficient for an

exemption on religious grounds.

New Jersey's Statutory Provisions

The State Sanitary Code (26:1A-9.1) provides for "exemption for pupils from mandatory

immunization if the parent or guardian of the pupil objects thereto in a written statement signed

by the parent or guardian upon the ground that the proposed immunization interferes with the

free exercise of the pupil's religious rights. This exemption may be suspended... during the

existence of an emergency..."

Institutions of higher education have two additional provisions. 18A:61D-3. Conflict with

Religious Beliefs: "A student who submits to the institution of higher education a written

statement that immunization conflicts with his religious beliefs shall not be required to submit

a list of immunizations to the institution as a condition of admission or continued enrollment."

Also, 18A:61D-4, "A student who submits to the institution a written statement that an

immunization is medically contraindicated shall submit a valid immunization record of other

administered immunizations in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department.

*** [18A:61D-5] "The provisions of this act shall not be construed as holding any institution

of higher education liable for failure to notify a student of any outbreak of contagious disease,

or the threat of any disease outbreak."

Religious Objection

Individual families may have religious beliefs that preclude the use of vaccination.

Membership in a recognized church that objects to immunization is not necessary. Even those

who belong to churches that do not object to immunization may themselves have religious

objection to immunization. Under the statutes, it is clearly a parental choice. In New Jersey, for

example, "if the parent or guardian of the pupil objects thereto in a written statement signed by

the parent or guardian upon the ground that the proposed immunization interferes with the free

exercise of the pupil's religious rights..." the child is exempt from vaccination. For further

information please go to

73 South Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631  Telephone (201) 568-3450 / Telefax (201)

568-5738

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Student Exemption From Mandatory Immunization In New Jersey