JIM HORNE
SECRETARY
F. PHILIP HANDY
CHAIRMAN
LINDA J. EADS, Ed. D.
T. WILLARD FAIR
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, Ph.D
CAROLYN KING ROBERTS
CHARLIE CRIST
COMMISSIONER
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION
325 W. GAINES STREET
SUITE 1614
TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399
www.flboe.org
(850) 201-7400
FLORIDA BOARD OF EDUCATION
CONTACT PERSON
NAME:
Mary Jo Butler
Dianne Mennitt
PHONE:
(850) 922-3735
SUNCOM:
292-3735
E-MAIL:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
dmennitt@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
DPS: 03-047
MEMORANDUM
To:
District School Superintendents
From:
Kathy Mizereck, Deputy Chancellor for Student
Achievement and Articulation
Date:
October 31, 2002
Subject: CLARIFICATION OF 2002-2003 SCHOOL YEAR
IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS
IN GRADE 12
Section 232.032, Florida Statutes, requires each school district and governing
authority of each nonpublic school to establish and enforce a policy that, prior to
admittance to or attendance in a public or nonpublic school in grades preschool
through 12, each child must present or have on file with the school a certification
of immunization of the prevention of those communicable diseases for which
immunization is required by the Department of Health. Effective with the 2002-
2003 school year, students entering, attending or transferring to grades seven
through twelve (7-12) are required to have completed the hepatitis B vaccination
(HBV) series, a second measles vaccination (preferably MMR), and a tetanus-
diphtheria (Td) booster. All students are required to meet the immunization
requirements for their grade level. The school board of each district and the
governing authority of each private school must refuse attendance or temporarily
exclude any student who is not in compliance with these requirements.
It has been brought to our attention that there may be students with disabilities
attending school until age 22 who may not have met the immunization
requirements for grade 12. It is important to identify and track students in this
category to ensure that students receive appropriate immunizations. We encourage
school district and designated school staff to work closely with the county health
department to facilitate parent and student compliance with immunization
requirements.
Clarification of 2002-2003 School Year Immunization Requirements for Students in Grade 12
October 31, 2002
Page Two
The Department of Education and the Department of Health continue to work collaboratively to provide
technical assistance and support to school districts and local health departments regarding implementation
of these requirements. If you have questions or comments regarding school immunization requirements,
please contact Phyllis Yambor, Department of Health, at (850) 245-4342 (SunCom 205-4342) or Dianne
Mennitt, Department of Education, at (850) 922-3735 (SunCom 292-3735).
KM:dm
cc: ESE Directors
Student Services Directors
School Health Services Coordinators
Amy VanOrmer, Bureau of Immunizations
