The California immunization law that went into effect Jan. 1 will effect children for the 2016-17 school year.

The law eliminates exemptions based on personal beliefs, including religious beliefs, for the vaccines that are currently required for entry into child care or school, kindergarten through grade 12.

Personal belief exemptions on file for a child already attending a California child care or school will remain valid until the child reaches the next immunization checkpoint at kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) or seventh grade.

Students will no longer be required to have immunizations for school entry if they attend a home-based private school or an independent study program with no classroom-based instruction.

For students to enter or transition into preschool, TK/kindergarten or seventh grade; or students in any grade enrolling in a California school from out of state or out of country, at least one of the following conditions must be met before the student is allowed to attend class:

• Submit documentation of receiving required immunizations to the school.
• Parents/guardians of medically exempt students must submit a medical exemption letter from a licensed physician and provide documentation of immunizations which have been received.

The El Dorado County Immunization Assistance Program has more info by calling 530.621.6100.