Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 511 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH › Chapter 511-2 - DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL › Subject 511-2-2 - IMMUNIZATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN › Rule 511-2-2-.07 - Religious Objections to Required Immunizations

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b)
				below, a child shall be exempt from the required immunizations if the parent or
				legal guardian has filed with the school or childcare facility a completed
				affidavit on DPH Form 2208.
(b)
				When the Department or a County Board of Health determines that an epidemic or
				the threat of an epidemic exists, the Department or Board shall immediately
				notify the governing authorities of all schools and childcare facilities within
				the affected area. Under those circumstances, the Department or Board may
				require immunization for those who object on the grounds of religious beliefs,
				and may prohibit attendance at schools or childcare facilities within the area
				by unimmunized children.
(c)
				Persons who wish to register a religious objection to the vaccination of their
				child shall do so using the following DPH Form 2208:
AFFIDAVIT OF RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO IMMUNIZATION
[Name of parent or legal guardian] personally appeared before
				 the undersigned notary public and swore or affirmed as follows:
1. I am the parent or legal guardian of [name
				of minor child], born on [date of birth].
2. I understand that the Georgia Department
				of Public Health requires children to obtain vaccinations against the following
				diseases before being admitted to a childcare facility or school: diphtheria;
				haemophilus influenzae type B (not required on or after the fifth birthday);
				hepatitis A; hepatitis B; measles; meningitis; mumps; pertussis (whooping
				cough); pneumococcal disease (not required on or after the fifth birthday);
				poliomyelitis; rubella (German measles); tetanus; and varicella
				(chickenpox).
3. I understand that
				the Georgia Department of Public Health has determined:
a. that the required vaccinations are
				necessary to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases among the children and
				people of this State;
b. that the
				required vaccinations are safe;
c.
				that a child who does not receive the required vaccinations is at risk of
				contracting those diseases; and
d.
				that a child who does not receive the required vaccinations is at risk of
				spreading these diseases to me, to other children in the childcare facility or
				school, and to other persons.
4. I sincerely affirm that vaccination is
				contrary to my religious beliefs, and that my objections to vaccination are not
				based solely on grounds of personal philosophy or inconvenience.
5. I understand that, notwithstanding my
				religious objections, my child may be excluded from childcare facilities or
				schools during an epidemic or threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by
				a vaccination required by the Georgia Department of Public Health, and that my
				child may be required to receive a vaccination in the event that such a disease
				is in epidemic stages, as provided in Georgia Code Section
				 31-12-3 and  DPH Rule
				 511-9-1-.03(2)(d).
This ____ day of ____________, ________.
___________________________________
Parent or Legal Guardian
Sworn and subscribed before me this ___ day of
				 ________________, ______.
___________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires _______________.