Nonmedical Vaccine Waivers
In 2014, Michigan had the fourth highest vaccine exemption rate in the United States. To continue maintaining high vaccination coverage rates and slow the increase in nonmedical vaccine exemptions, Michigan changed its state Administrative Rules, effective January 1, 2015, to require parents/guardians to attend a vaccine education session at their health department before obtaining a nonmedical exemption. This rule applies to all children who are enrolled in licensed childcares, preschools, and Head Start programs as well as kindergarteners, 7th graders, and any newly enrolled students into a school district.
If a child does not have an up-to-date immunization record showing they are fully immunized, or is not in a dose waiting period, or does not have a medical contraindication on file, then the child should be excluded from school based on public health code guidance.
What is a nonmedical immunization waiver?
New in 2023, the nonmedical immunization waiver is an electronic document and is housed in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR). A certified paper waiver form may also be used. A nonmedical waiver allows parents/guardians to object to vaccines for philosophical, religious, and other reasons. It is completed and signed by parents on an official State of Michigan Nonmedical Waiver form provided by a county health department following an educational session detailing the benefits of vaccination and the risks of disease.
Why is the Rule Important?
High nonmedical waiver rates can leave communities susceptible to diseases such as measles, chickenpox, and pertussis (whooping cough) by undermining community or “herd” immunity. Herd immunity protects vulnerable children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and children with compromised immune systems. Herd immunity can also slow the spread of disease if a high proportion of individuals in that community are immune to the disease. Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect children from serious diseases and even death.
Who Does the Rule Apply to:
The rule applies to parents/guardians seeking a nonmedical immunization waiver for their child/children
who are enrolling in a public or private:
- Licensed childcare, preschool, and Head Start programs
- Kindergarten, 7th grade, and any newly enrolled student into the school district
How does this rule affect Michigan’s schools and licensed childcare programs?
- The rule requires schools and childcare programs to refer parents/guardians seeking a nonmedical waiver for immunizations to the county health department for immunization waiver education and waiver certification.
- Schools and childcare programs can only accept a current, un-altered, certified State of Michigan Immunization Waiver in MCIR or an un-altered, certified State of Michigan paper form.
How does a parent/guardian obtain a certified nonmedical waiver?
Based on the rule, parents/guardians are no longer permitted to submit an uncertified Immunization Waiver Form to the school or childcare program attended by their child/children. Parents/guardians are required to:
1. Contact their county health department to receive immunization waiver education and obtain a certified State of Michigan Immunization Waiver in MCIR or certified paper form.
2. If a paper form is obtained, submit the certified State of Michigan Immunization Waiver form to the school or childcare program attended by their child/children.
3. Paper waiver forms that are altered in any fashion (including information on the form that may be crossed out) cannot be accepted by schools or childcare programs.