As a parent in California, I need to understand the current vaccine requirements for school entry and any available exemptions. Specifically, what is the status of personal belief and religious exemptions for K-12 schools after July 1, 2016, and what is the situation regarding medical exemptions? Additionally, I'm concerned about my child's ability to consent to vaccines without my knowledge; what does California's AB-499 law state regarding minors' consent for vaccines?
Navigate to 'nvic.org'. Click on the 'Law & Policy' link. Click on the 'State Vaccine Laws' link under the 'State' sub-menu. From the 'Discover Other State Laws & Vaccine Requirements' form, select 'California' from the dropdown menu and click 'Go'. Identify the status of personal and religious belief exemptions for K-12 schools after July 1, 2016, and any grandfathering clauses. Identify the information provided regarding medical exemptions. Locate and describe the provisions of California's AB-499 law concerning minors' consent to vaccines. State the findings for all questions.
The agent successfully navigates to the 'California State Vaccine Requirements' page. The agent states that new personal and religious belief exemptions are not allowed in California daycare, preschool, and K-12 schools effective July 1, 2016. The agent mentions the grandfathering clause for personal/religious exemptions filed prior to January 1, 2016, applying until the next grade span checkpoint. The agent states that medical exemptions are 'increasingly more difficult to obtain'. The agent explains that California's AB-499 law (passed in 2011) allows minors 12 years old and older to consent to vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases (including HPV vaccine) without parental knowledge or consent.