Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-7.3

Current through Regsiter Vol. 46, No. 26, June 12, 2024

Rule 641-7.3 - [Effective until 7/3/2024] Persons excluded

Exclusions to these rules are permitted on an individual basis for medical and religious reasons. Applicants approved for medical or religious exemptions shall submit to the admitting official a valid Iowa department of public health certificate of immunization exemption.

(1) To be valid, a certificate of immimization exemption for medical reasons shall contain, at a minimum, the applicant's last name, first name, and date of birth, the vaccine(s) exempted, and an expiration date (if applicable) and shall bear the signature of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. A medical exemption may be granted to an applicant when, in the opinion of a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant:

a. The required immunizations would be injurious to the health and well-being of the applicant or any member of the applicant's family or household. In this circumstance, a medical exemption may apply to a specific vaccine(s) or all required vaccines. If, in the opinion of the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant issuing the medical exemption, the exemption should be terminated or reviewed at a future date, an expiration date shall be recorded on the certificate of immunization exemption; or

b. Administration of the required vaccine would violate minimum interval spacing. In this circumstance, an exemption shall apply only to an applicant who has not received prior doses of the exempted vaccine. An expiration date, not to exceed 60 calendar days, and the name of the vaccine exempted shall be recorded on the certificate of exemption.

(2) A religious exemption may be granted to an applicant if immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief.

a. To be valid, a certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons shall contain, at a minimum, the applicant's last name, first name, and date of birth and shall bear the signature of the applicant or, if the applicant is a minor, of the applicant's parent or guardian and shall attest that immunization conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief and that the belief is in fact religious and not based merely on philosophical, scientific, moral, personal, or medical opposition to immunizations.

b. The certificate of immunization exemption for religious reasons is valid only when notarized.

(3) Medical and religious exemptions under this rule do not apply in times of emergency or epidemic as determined by the state board of health and declared by the director of public health.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 641-7.3