Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 007 - ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Division 15 - Health Maintenance/Epidemiology › Rule 007.15.08-003 - Rules Pertaining to Immunization Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
SECTION I.
AUTHORITY.
The following Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization
				Requirements are duly adopted and promulgated by the Arkansas State Board of
				Health pursuant to the authority expressly conferred by the laws of the State
				of Arkansas including, without limitation, Ark. Code Ann. §
									20-7-109,
				Ark. Code Ann. §
									6-18-702, Ark. Code
				Ann. §§
									6-60-501 - 504, and Ark.
				Code Ann. §
									20-78-206.
SECTION II.
PURPOSE.
Immunizations against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus,
				pertussis, red (rubeola) measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox),
Haemophilus influenzae
type b, hepatitis B, and pneumococcal,
				and other communicable diseases have resulted in a dramatic decrease in the
				incidence of these diseases in Arkansas. However, these diseases continue to
				occur in childcare facilities, schools, and colleges and universities. A
				requirement that children and students furnish proof that they have immunity
				against certain communicable diseases will reduce the potential for an outbreak
				of those diseases.
SECTION
			 III.
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.
A. Childcare and Early Childhood Education
			 Facilities.
1. Except as otherwise provided
			 in these regulations, no infant or child shall be admitted to attend a
			 childcare facility in this state who has not been age-appropriately immunized
			 against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, red (rubeola) measles,
			 rubella, mumps, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, pneumococcal
			 disease and varicella (chickenpox) (See Table I.), as evidenced by an
			 immunization record from a licensed physician or a public health department
			 acknowledging the immunization.
2.
			 Every child must have received all of the vaccines, be in-process of receiving
			 needed doses listed in Table I for their age, or show proof that they have
			 applied for an exemption for those vaccines he/she has not received in order to
			 continue attendance in a childcare facility. If the child does not meet the
			 immunization requirements for entering the childcare facility, refer the child
			 to a medical authority (private doctor or health department) for immunization
			 or consultation.
3. A facility may
			 temporarily admit a child provided that the child becomes age-appropriately
			 immunized, is in-process of receiving the needed doses of vaccine, or obtains
			 an exemption for those vaccines he/she has not received within fifteen (15)
			 program days after the child's original admission. "In process" means the child
			 has received at least one dose of the required immunizations and is waiting the
			 minimum time interval to receive the additional doses. When a child is admitted
			 who is in the process of completing the required minimum immunizations, the
			 childcare facility shall require each child to complete the required doses on
			 schedule. A written statement from a public health nurse or private physician
			 stating that the child is in process and containing a date when he/she must
			 return for the next immunization shall be in the child's file. If a child does
			 not produce documentation of additional immunizations per the schedule or show
			 proof that he/she has applied for an exemption from the immunization
			 requirements, he/she must be excluded from the childcare facility until
			 documentation is provided. The immunization series does not need to be
			 restarted as each dose of vaccine counts toward the minimum
			 requirements.
4. Childcare
			 facilities are required to evaluate the immunization status of all children in
			 their facilities. Table I is used to determine if the child meets the
			 immunization requirements to be admitted to and continue attendance in a
			 childcare facility.
5. The Division
			 of Child Care and Early Childhood Education shall be responsible for enforcing
			 immunization requirements with respect to childcare facilities.