Rule 511-2-2-.07. Religious Objections to Required Immunizations

1. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) below, a child shall be exempt from the required immunizations if the parent or legal guardian has filed with the school or childcare facility a completed affidavit on DPH Form 2208.
2. (b) When the Department or a County Board of Health determines that an epidemic or the threat of an epidemic exists, the Department or Board shall immediately notify the governing authorities of all schools and childcare facilities within the affected area. Under those circumstances, the Department or Board may require immunization for those who object on the grounds of religious beliefs, and may prohibit attendance at schools or childcare facilities within the area by unimmunized children.

3. (c) Persons who wish to register a religious objection to the vaccination of their child shall do so using the following DPH Form 2208:

   AFFIDAVIT OF RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO IMMUNIZATION

   [Name of parent or legal guardian] personally appeared before the undersigned notary public and swore or affirmed as follows:

   1. 1. I am the parent or legal guardian of [name of minor child], born on [date of birth].
   2. 2. I understand that the Georgia Department of Public Health requires children to obtain vaccinations against the following diseases before being admitted to a childcare facility or school: diphtheria; haemophilus influenzae type B (not required on or after the fifth birthday); hepatitis A; hepatitis B; measles; meningitis; mumps; pertussis (whooping cough); pneumococcal disease (not required on or after the fifth birthday); poliomyelitis; rubella (German measles); tetanus; and varicella (chickenpox).

   3. 3. I understand that the Georgia Department of Public Health has determined:

      1. a. that the required vaccinations are necessary to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases among the children and people of this State;
      2. b. that the required vaccinations are safe;
      3. c. that a child who does not receive the required vaccinations is at risk of contracting those diseases; and
      4. d. that a child who does not receive the required vaccinations is at risk of spreading these diseases to me, to other children in the childcare facility or school, and to other persons.
   4. 4. I sincerely affirm that vaccination is contrary to my religious beliefs, and that my objections to vaccination are not based solely on grounds of personal philosophy or inconvenience.

   5. 5. I understand that, notwithstanding my religious objections, my child may be excluded from childcare facilities or schools during an epidemic or threatened epidemic of any disease preventable by a vaccination required by the Georgia Department of Public Health, and that my child may be required to receive a vaccination in the event that such a disease is in epidemic stages, as provided in Georgia Code Section 31-12-3 and DPH Rule 511-9-1-.03(2)(d).

      This ____ day of ____________, ________.

      ___________________________________

      Parent or Legal Guardian

      Sworn and subscribed before me this ___ day of ________________, ______.

      ___________________________________

      Notary Public

      My commission expires _______________.

Note: Correction of non-substantive typographical error in Rule History on SOS Rules and Regulations website. "History. Original Rule entitled "Purpose" adopted. F. Sep. 23, 2013; eff. Oct. 13, 2013." corrected to "History. Original Rule entitled "Religious Objections to Required Immunizations" adopted. F. Sep. 23, 2013; eff. Oct. 13, 2013." Effective June 12, 2019.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 20-2-771, 31-2A-6, 31-12-3, 49-5-12.

History. Original Rule entitled "Religious Objections to Required Immunizations" adopted. F. Sep. 20, 2013; eff. Oct. 10, 2013.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Apr. 15, 2014; eff. May 5, 2014.

Amended: F. May 27, 2015; eff. June 16, 2015.

Amended: F. May 13, 2019; eff. June 12, 2019, as specified by the Agency.