Students must be able to show proof to their school that they have obtained the needed vaccines. If a parent cannot provide documentation that the student has received the necessary vaccines, the student will be excluded from school at that time. The student will not be allowed to enter school until the necessary documentation is provided.

There are three types of exemptions: medical, philosophical and religious. If for any reason you choose not to have your child immunized, you must call the Arkansas Department of Health for an exemption application. This is an annual requirement, and the process is lengthy. The application must be reviewed and approved by the Arkansas Department of Health before an exemption is granted. Proof of exemption or proof of exemption application is required BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.

If there are reported cases of a vaccine-preventable communicable disease, an exempted student may be excluded from school for up to 21 days, or until the Arkansas Department of Health deems that it is safe for the exempted student to return to school.

Because of the large number of students who will be affected, we strongly encourage you to contact your local Health Department or your doctor’s office to schedule these vaccines as soon as possible. If you wait until close to the start of the school year, you may find you are unable to get a timely appointment or you may run the risk of non-availability of the vaccines.

If your child is new to our district and you do not provide his/her shot record, you will NOT be allowed to complete registration or enroll your child UNTIL the shot record is provided.

If you have any questions about your child’s immunization record, you can ask his/her School Nurse for additional information.

These vaccines are available at your local health department or your doctor’s office. Please see below for a schedule of Arkansas Department of Health planned immunization clinics.

If your child is a patient at Arkansas Children’s Hospital General Pediatric Clinic, you can call for an appointment to receive vaccines there as well.