Immunization Branch
|
 |
|
BackgroundSince 1972, Texas has allowed medical and religious exemptions
from immunizations required for school entry. In 2003, the Texas Legislature
passed a provision allowing exemptions from immunizations for reasons of
conscience. To obtain a conscientious exemption, including religious exemption,
the parent or guardian must submit a written request to the Department of State
Health Services (DSHS) to obtain an affidavit form. The form must then be
notarized before being submitted to the school. In spring 2004, DSHS surveyed
all Texas Independent School Districts (ISD's) (1256) and private schools (844)
accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to determine the number of
conscientious exemption affidavits on file at Texas public and accredited
private schools for School-Year 2003-04.
Results
81% (1,018) of the ISD's and 58% (487) of the accredited private
schools responded to the survey. Of the schools that responded to the survey,
2,314 students (1,827 public and 487 private) filed an exemption form during the
2003-2004 school year. This number represents 0.08% of the responding school
population. Houston ISD did not respond to the survey.
Conclusions
The number of conscientious exemptions filed per responding school
district or private school varies from 0 to 19.05%. See map (PDF 193 Kb)
and list (PDF 8 Kb)showing the number of ISD's and accredited private
schools reporting conscientious exemptions for more than 0.50% of their student
population for the School-Year 2003-04. More complete data and a higher response
rate are necessary to assess the effect of the conscientious exemption
statewide. We are requesting more complete data through the Annual Report of
Immunization Status. Data will be available late 2005.
Back to Immunization Coverage homepage