The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
VaHomeschoolers.org
Your Resource. Your Voice. Your Association.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
VaHomeschoolers.org
Your Resource. Your Voice. Your Association.
Note: The following information is provided as a courtesy of VaHomeschoolers and should not be considered legal advice. For legal advice, please contact an licensed attorney.
Virginia's homeschoolers are subject to the same vaccination laws as public school children. Proof of vaccination is required upon the request of the division superintendent of your local public school.
Virginia allows exemptions from vaccinations for medical and religious reasons.
"If a homeschooler is asked for immunization information by a superintendent, it must be provided. Refusing to provide it places the parent in noncompliance with the law." -Will Shaw, long-time homeschool parent and activist, and co-founder of VaHomeschoolers
§32.1-46 of the Code of Virginia discusses which immunizations are required under Virginia law, and addresses religious and medical exemptions from immunizations. §22.1-271.4 of the Code of Virginia requires homeschooled children to comply with the immunization requirements of §32.1-46.
To read the complete text of the law: §32.1-46. Immunization of patients against certain diseases; records.
To read the complete text of the law: §22.1-271.4. Health requirements for home-instructed, exempted, and excused children.
Virginia Administrative Code (VAC 5-110) addresses immunization requirements for school-aged children in Virginia. Of special interest are VAC 5-110-80, which deals with exemptions from immunization, and VAC 5-110-140, which addresses penalties for noncompliance with the immunization laws. According to VAC 5-110-140, willful noncompliance with immunization regulations is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.
To read the complete text of the law: VAC 5-110. Regulations for the Immunization of School Children.
To read the complete text of the law: VAC 5-110-80. Exemptions from Immunization Requirements.
To read the complete text of the law: 12VAC5-110-140. General penalties.
Virginia Administrative Code (VAC 5-110-80) addresses the granting of exemptions from immunizations:
A religious exemption form for immunizations is available through the Virginia Department of Health.
To receive a medical exemption from immunizations, contact your local licensed physician or nurse practitioner.
The links below are provided for your convenience. VaHomeschoolers takes no position on the vaccination issue.
The Centers for Disease Control's National Immunization Program provides information about childhood vaccinations.
The Virginia Department of Health's Division of Immunization site includes law regarding vaccinations and reporting.
The Virginia-based National Vaccine Information Center is "dedicated to the prevention of vaccine injuries and deaths through public education" and "supports the right of citizens to exercise informed consent and make educated, independent vaccination decisions for themselves and their children." The site provides articles, publications, and links to other sites offering vaccine information.
VaHomeschoolers works hard to protect your homeschool freedom and empowers you by giving you the information that helps you homeschool with confidence. This is all a free service to you. But providing these services does cost money without which we could not maintain this site, cover our lobbyists' expenses while they work for you at the Virginia General Assembly, or produce and mail the VaHomeschoolers newsletter. Show how much you value the indispensable services VaHomeschoolers provides you--by joining or donating to VaHomeschoolers! If you are already a member, check out our give-back programs where purchases you normally make can earn money for VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you. When you join or donate to VaHomeschoolers, you are supporting the Old Dominion's only fully inclusive, member directed, and volunteer driven state homeschool association.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers is a non-profit public charity with 501(c)(3) status; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.