Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 7, April 9, 2024
Section 7.5.3.8 - REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF EXEMPTIONS FROM IMMUNIZATIONA. Any minor child through his parent or guardian may file a request for exemption from required immunization with the director of the public health division by providing the following: (1) certificate or affidavit from a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or a certified nurse practitioner attesting that any of the required immunizations would seriously endanger the life or health of the child; or(2) an affidavit or written affirmation from an officer of a recognized religious denomination stating that the parents or guardians are bona fide members of the recognized denomination, whose religious teaching requires reliance upon prayer or spiritual means alone for healing; or(3) an affidavit or written affirmation by a parent or guardian whose religious beliefs, held either individually or jointly with others, do not permit the administration of vaccine or other immunizing agents.B. The original request for approval of any exemptions from immunization must be mailed to the department of health, public health division, immunization program. The address is P.O. Box 26110, Suite S-1250, Santa Fe, NM, 87502. Request forms can be found at the immunization program offices 1190 St. Francis Drive, Suite South 1250 or on the program's website.C. Within 60 days of receipt of a request for exemption from immunization, the department of health immunization program staff shall review the request to determine whether the certificate has been duly completed. Incomplete requests shall be returned to the requester with information regarding what elements are missing.D. The department of health immunization program staff shall determine approval status of all requests for exemption: (1) exemption requests shall be approved for a one-year period indicated by the public health division director or designee;(2) in the case of approval of a request for exemption, an approved, signed copy of the request shall be provided to the parents or guardian of the child;(3) in the case of a denial, the department of health immunization program staff shall state the reasons for denial in a letter of notification to the parents or guardian of the child. The notice to the parents or guardians shall also include information about the review process in 7.5.3.9 NMAC.7.5.3.8 NMAC - Rp, 7 NMAC 5.3.8, 11/27/13, Amended by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXIV, Issue 16, August 29, 2023, eff. 8/29/2023