Immunization Policy

At the Emerson Waldorf School, our students’ health and safety are always a priority and concern. The school follows the immunization requirements of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The State requires that all students meet immunization requirements before attending school. It also requires schools to submit immunization records to the state for tracking. Families who have not submitted immunization records by the 30th day of instruction will be excluded from school.

We are asking, this year, that all families notify the school of their student’s Covid-19 vaccination status. This information is kept confidential as part of each student’s medical records.

All children in North Carolina are required to be vaccinated against:

• Diphtheria

• Hepatitis B

• Hib Disease

• Measles

• Meningococcal

• Mumps

You can find the immunization schedule for children and a catch-up immunization schedule for children and adolescents here:

• Childhood Immunization Schedule

• Catch up Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents

The CDC also recommends children be vaccinated against the following diseases, although immunization against these diseases is not required for children in North Carolina:

• Hepatitis A

• Influenza

• Rotavirus

• Human Papillomavirus

• Covid-19

In North Carolina, vaccination records are checked when a child is enrolled in a childcare facility or school. Children are not allowed to attend school (whether public, private, or religious) or a childcare facility unless they have received all required immunizations appropriate for their age. 

The state does allow for medical and religious exemptions. For the state’s exemption policy and forms, please go to:

https://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/ncexemptions.htm

In addition to the immunizations required at school entry, rising 7th graders need the following vaccines:

• Tdap – Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) – 1 dose

• Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) – 1 dose (booster will be required by 12th grade)

For more information on the immunization statutes, please go to:

http://www.immunize.nc.gov/schools/ncruleslaws.htm

https://epi.publichealth.nc.gov/cd/laws.html#cds

EWS honors each family’s decision, but we will also meet our social and civic responsibility to the community. The Orange County Board of Health has broad power to control communicable diseases under both North Carolina general statutes and the administrative code. In particular, state and county public health officials have the right to exclude unvaccinated students from the school during the outbreak of a highly contagious disease. During an outbreak of certain communicable diseases, they may ask parents who have not shown proof of vaccination to vaccinate, show proof that their child is immune to the virus, or stay away from the school.

Questions may be directed to Colleen Everhart, Director of Pedagogy and Administration: ceverhart@emersonwaldorf.org