Immunization Requirements for School
It is critical that all health services staff understand the immunization requirements. The most up to date immunization information can be found at the Minnesota Department of Health Immunizations page under School Health Professionals.
Minnesota Immunization Law
The Minnesota Immunization Law (statute 121A.15) outlines the requirements for immunizations in Minnesota elementary and secondary schools. School-based early childhood immunizaton requirements are described in Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 4604. School-based early childhood programs are defined in: 4604.0200 - MN Rules Subp.4a.
The most recent vaccine specific immunization requirements can be found in Minnesota Administrative Rules 4604.
School nurses play an essential role in ensuring that families have accurate information regarding immunizations. Critical conversations around immunization safety and vaccine preventable disease realities in the health office every day.
One key element of the immunization law is how and what is communicated to families regarding immunizations. When communicating about immunizations, schools must include a complete list of required immunizations and clear information regarding how to obtain medical or conscientious exemption. If a school chooses to create their own form or letter, the statutory requirements related to content and form must be followed.
Health Office Immunization Essentials
- Who Needs Vaccines, When
- Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS)
- Minnesota Vaccines for Children Program (MNVFC) assists with providing low cost or free vaccines to all children in Minnesota.
If you have questions about a specific student’s record, the type of vaccine given, the interval, etc. you can email your question to: health.asir@state.mn.us.
Obtaining Immunization Information
Vaccines are so essential to the public health infrastructure that there are unique systems in place to ensure schools have access to students' immunization information.
In Minnesota there is a state law that specifically requires the disclosure of immunization records to school officials. Therefore, health providers can share immunization information with school officials without the written authorization of the parent/guardian.
There are two circumstances under which schools may release student health data. According to Minnesota Statute § Chapter 13.32 schools may disclose data for two specific purposes:
- In health and safety emergencies.
- To administer immunization programs or during an epidemiological investigation.
The Minnesota Immunization Data Sharing Law (M.S. §144.3351) allows schools to share data with MIIC, but the federal FERPA law preempts the Minnesota Immunization Data Sharing Law. Therefore, schools may want to develop a process to obtain a release of information for sharing immunization records received by the school with the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) and/or the student’s health care provider.
- The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Immunization Data includes sample school consent language for sharing data with MIIC as word document.
The Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) is a powerful tool for schools to support families in ensuring immunization information is up to date at school. Contact MIIC to create a MIIC account.
Immunization Records (non-English)
They are several resources available to help schools understand or translate immunization records that are not recorded in English. Schools can reach out to MDH Refugee Team or send an email to health.asir@state.mn.us.
The tool “Vax Ref” can be helpful. This is publicly available online and allows the user to see a drop down list of vaccination in a chosen language. The user chooses the vaccination, enters the date of vaccination, and enters more vaccinations until complete. The user will then receive a list of the immunization in English.
Vaccine names may be documented in languages other than English, or the names or components of vaccines may be unfamiliar to US clinicians. This document can provide language translation assistance NMDOH: Foreign Language Terms - Aids to translating foreign immunization records
Annual Immunization Status Report
All elementary and secondary schools (public, charter and private) in Minnesota are required to complete the Annual Immunization Status Report (AISR) every year by December 1st. Only schools that have a DHS Rule 3 licensed childcare center are required to submit an AISR. The AISR reporting responsibilities are assigned by the school district (most often to the school nurse) and results are available online and provided to each school district after they have been reviewed. The directions forThe directions for how to complete the AISR are online and should be reviewed prior to starting. Questions can be directed to health.aisr@state.mn.us