Bellevue School District students who lack required immunizations or an approved exemption on file face exclusion from school starting Dec. 1.
The district, which serves about 20,339 students across 30 schools, posted the notice on its news page Tuesday, Oct. 6. School nurses are reviewing immunization records and will contact families whose children are missing vaccinations or paperwork.
Under BSD Policy 3413, students must show proof of vaccination against every disease listed in state code, including chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis B, measles and rubella.
Families who have not submitted records have a few options: provide proof of full immunization, file a certificate of exemption, or show they have started and are following a catch-up vaccination schedule.
The district's procedure gives families a 30-day conditional window to catch up on missing shots. Once that window closes without documentation, the student must be kept out of class under state law (RCW 28A.210.120).
Who is protected
Two groups are protected. Students experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act and students in foster care cannot be excluded for missing immunization records and must be allowed to remain enrolled, consistent with federal law.
How exemptions work
Families seeking an exemption must complete a Certificate of Exemption form from the Washington Department of Health. Medical exemptions require a physician's certification. Personal or religious exemptions require a signed form and a statement from a health care provider confirming the provider discussed the benefits and risks of immunization.
One restriction applies. State law does not allow personal or philosophical exemptions for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
What families should do
Before a student is excluded, the school must send written notice to parents explaining the immunization requirements, the potential denial of attendance, due process rights and available immunization services through the local health department.
Families can check their child's records through MyIR Mobile, the state's online immunization portal. A Certificate of Immunization Status printed from MyIR counts as medically verified and does not need an additional provider signature.
The district directed families with questions to contact their school nurse. The Dec. 1 deadline applies to all students who have not met requirements by that date.
