Immunizations

Parents/guardians are required to submit:

• A complete immunization record or

• A physician (MD/DO)-signed State of Michigan Medical Contraindication Form or

• A current, certified State of Michigan Nonmedical Immunization Waiver Form

Students without a completed immunization record and/or a certified waiver form are subject to exclusion from school or childcare unless the student is in a “provisional” category. Children in the provisional category are defined as those who have received 1 or more doses of vaccine but need to wait the recommended time to receive the next dose.

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Vaccine Recommendations and School or Daycare Rules, What is the difference?

Kent County Immunization Clinics

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING WITH YOU TO THE HEALTH CENTER:

1. IMMUNIZATION RECORD(S) for all persons being immunized
2. INSURANCE CARDS(S) for all persons being immunized
3. VALID IDENTIFICATION

Fees

Please visit the Kent County Health Department Website for more information regarding potential fees.

Insurance

Many health insurance plans cover routine immunizations. The Kent County Health Department bills only Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Blue Care Network. If the client is fully insured by any other company, vaccines will be administered at the current fee schedule.

Kent County Immunization Waiver Policy

The Kent County Health Department’s mission statement is to serve, protect, and promote a healthy community for all. Our mission includes protecting the public from vaccine-preventable diseases. Many diseases that have been eliminated or rare are making a comeback. There have been large increases in pertussis (whooping cough), measles, and chickenpox diseases throughout the United States. While many people may only become moderately ill with these diseases, the most vulnerable in our community; infants, the elderly, and those with chronic medical conditions could suffer serious consequences such as hospitalization and death. Even healthy people have developed these same consequences.

It is our responsibility to ensure that parents/guardians have an opportunity to have their questions answered, discuss concerns, and be offered scientific-based education on the benefits of vaccination and the risks of disease before signing a waiver.

What if you don’t immunize your child?

• Your child is at greater risk of catching a vaccine-preventable disease
• Your child may infect others in our community if they come down with the disease
• Your child may be excluded from daycare, pre-school, or school for several days or weeks to prevent them catching or spreading a vaccine-preventable disease

What to do to obtain a nonmedical waiver:

We strongly encourage you to immunize your child, but if you have chosen to waive your child’s immunizations, you must make an appointment at a Kent County Health Department Immunization Clinic to speak with a nurse. Clinic locations can be found at www.accesskent.com/immunizations.

To make an appointment at any of our four locations, please call 616 632-7200.

Please note that the schools will no longer have waivers. You must receive a certified waiver from the health department for it to be a valid waiver.

Medical waivers must be obtained from your doctor. The medical waiver forms can be found at www.michigan.gov/immunize under the Health Care Professionals/Providers link or at www.mcir.org under the School/Childcare link.