Immunizations
Important Parent Notice
Regarding Immunizations
for 2020-2021 School Year
All students will need to be in compliance with the Department of State Health Services Immunization Guidelines prior to returning to school. The Department of State Health Services, in Mexia, Texas is open every Thursday, by appointment only, to serve any student, who has no insurance; who has Medicaid; and those who are "under-insured" (insurance does not cover immunizations). To make an appointment, call 254-562-3897.
All student will need to be current (their first day of school) on their vaccinations whether they are remote learning or in-person on campus. The campus nurse will need a copy of current immunizations.
The Texas Department of Health has ruled that students must be current with immunizations in order to attend school unless an exemption has been filed with the school in accordance with the Texas Education Code, Health and Safety, Chapter 38.0001. Unless a child's immunizations are current, parents will be asked to obtain the needed immunizations before their child is allowed to attend school. Updated immunization records should be faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered to the school nurse on your child's campus. The vaccine requirements apply to all children and students entering, attending, enrolling in, and/or transferring to child-care facilities or public or private primary or secondary schools or institutions of higher education.* *Source: The provisions of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 97, Title 25 Health Services, adopted to be effective April 1, 2004, 29, TexReg 3188; amended to be effective March 5, 2009, 34 TexReg 1433. Please see attached files for further information.
Contact Information - School Immunizations
Phone: (800) 252-9152
Fax: (512) 776-7544
Mailing Address
Immunization Unit
Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347
Physical Address
Department of State Health Services
Immunization Branch (MC 1946)
1100 West 49th Street
Austin, TX 78756
Last updated April 10, 2018
State Immunization Requirements (Letter to Parents)
Exclusions from Immunization Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions: (if you have trouble with the links below, visit www.dshs.texas.gov website)
Exemption from Immunization for Reasons of Conscience – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Stock # E11-13159 (Rev. 07/2012)
Sample Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience, Stock # EF11-13140 (Rev. 08/2011)
- PDF Format
- MS Word Format
- Online exemption form request
This is a secure web page for requesting exemption forms online. DSHS only has one exemption form. If you are an adult requesting the form for yourself complete the parent/guardian section and the child section with your information.
Exemptions to Immunization Requirements
Chapter §97.62 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) describes the conditions under which individuals can seek exemptions from Texas immunization requirements. Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications, reasons of conscience, including a religious belief, and active duty with the armed forces of the United States.