5.01 General Requirements

5.01.1 Exemptions shall be granted only by the Arkansas Department of Health.

5.01.2 Individuals shall complete an annual application for medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions.

5.01.3 A notarized statement by the individual requesting the exemption must accompany the application.

5.01.4 All individuals requesting an exemption must complete an educational component developed by the Department of Health that includes information on the risks and benefits of vaccinations.

5.01.5 All individuals must sign an “informed consent” form provided by the Department of Health that includes:

5.01.5.1 A statement of refusal to vaccinate;

5.01.5.2 A statement of understanding that at the discretion of the Department of Health the non-immunized child or individual may be removed from the applicable facility, for no fewer than twenty-one (21) days, during an outbreak if the child or individual is not fully vaccinated; and

5.01.5.3 A statement of understanding that the child or individual shall not return to the applicable facility until the outbreak has been resolved and the Department of Health approves the return.

5.02 Medical Exemptions

5.02.1 Only a letter issued by the Medical Director, Immunization Section of the Arkansas Department of Health, stating the vaccine(s) for which a student is exempt is to be accepted as a valid medical exemption by the school.

5.02.2 Statements from private physicians shall not be accepted by the school as proof of a medical exemption unless accompanied by a letter issued by the Medical Director, Immunization Section of the Arkansas Department of Health.

5.02.3 In addition to the general requirements of Section 5.01 of these Rules, individuals seeking a medical exemption must submit the Immunization Section's standard form for medical exemptions.

5.02.3.1 This form is available from the Immunization Section upon request.

5.03 Religious Exemptions

5.03.1 In addition to the general requirements found in Section 5.01 of these Rules, individuals seeking a religious exemption must submit the Immunization Section's standard form for religious exemptions.

5.03.1.1 This form is available from the Immunization Section upon request.

5.04 Philosophical Exemptions

5.04.1 In addition to the general requirements found in Section 5.01 of these Rules, individuals seeking a philosophical exemption must submit the Immunization Section's standard form for philosophical exemptions.

5.04.1.1 This form is available from the Immunization Section upon request.