Vaccine Exemptions

Childhood vaccine exemptions based on religious belief are common in Hawai’i but this population varies significantly from school to school. This is largely based on parents lacking the basics knowledge of the law as well as the fundamental science behind vaccine safety and efficacy. Some schools have zero exempt students while other may have as high as half their students unvaccinated.  Map plotting the state’s exemption statistics.

Hawaii Administrative Rules Title 11 Department of Health Chapter 157 Examination and Immunization

§11-157-5 Exemptions.

(a) Medical exemptions from the requirements for specific immunizing agents shall be granted upon certification by a physician on the physician’s professional stationery that an immunization is medically contraindicated for a specific period of time. The original certificate shall be provided to the exempt person or parent or guardian. A copy of the certificate shall be maintained in the student’s school health record. Reports of such certificates shall be submitted to the department by each school.

(b) A religious exemption shall be granted to a student whose parent, custodian, guardian, or other person in loco parentis certifies that the person’s religious beliefs prohibit the practice of immunization. Requests for religious exemptions based on objections to specific immunizing agents will not be granted. Students who have reached the age of majority shall apply on their own behalf. The certification shall be retained in the student’s health record. Reports of such exemptions shall be submitted to the department by each school.

(c) If at any time, the director determines that there is the danger or presence of an outbreak or epidemic from any of the communicable diseases for which immunization is required under this chapter, the exemption from immunization against such disease shall not be recognized and inadequately immunized students shall be excluded from school until the director has determined that the presence or danger of the outbreak or epidemic no longer exists