MCHD provides updates for school vaccinations

July 28, 2022

MCHD provides updates for school vaccinations

MOBILE, Ala. — Alabama’s School Immunization Law Section 16-30-4 states each student enrolled in daycare, Head Start, and public or private schools has a valid Certificate of Immunization (COI) — previously known as “blue cards” — or a Certificate of Religious Exemption on file at the facility they attend.

State of Alabama School Rules Chapter 420-6-1 (1) states the COI will be on a form approved by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), which is the one printed from ImmPRINT (Immunization Patient Resources with Integrated Technology). All required vaccines must be recorded before the COI can be submitted to the schools.

The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) and its primary care division — Family Health — are offering immunizations to students at all its health centers conveniently located throughout Mobile County. This allows clients to save time by avoiding the long lines that can occur at the main facility in Downtown Mobile. For a list of all locations or operating times, please visit https://mchd.org/family-health/#locations.

Patients who receive their vaccinations through Family Health will receive the up-to-date COI at no charge.

All non-Family Health patients will be charged an administration fee of $10 per patient to receive an up-to-date COI. If vaccines are not up-to-date, parents or guardians should follow up with their primary care provider or schedule an appointment at one of the Family Health’s clinics by calling 251-690-8889.

Clients not receiving services through Family Health will be charged a one-time administration fee of $30 per patient if requesting Family Health to enter immunizations into ImmPRINT from other states to generate an Alabama COI.

A Certificate of Religious Exemption can only be issued by a county health department. The parent or legal guardian must submit a written objection and receive education on the consequences of not immunizing their child. Parents and legal guardians interested in requesting a Religious Exemption for their school-age children must do so in person. They will be charged an administration fee of $10 per patient to receive the Certificate of Religious Exemption.

Religious Exemptions are offered by MCHD at the Festival Centre complex in West Mobile (3725 Airport Boulevard, Suite 101-A) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. By State School Immunization Law, a Religious Exemption can only be issued to kindergarten through 12th grade and not to the institutions of higher learning or adults. Call 251-690-8923 for additional information.

For individuals requiring a birth certificate to register for school, MCHD’s Vital Records department is open Monday through Friday at the Keeler Memorial Building (251 North Bayou Street in Mobile). The last client is taken at 4 p.m. because of the time needed to process the documents. The cost is $15 for the first copy, and $6 for each additional copy of the same certificate purchased at the same time. There is a $1.95 fee to use a debit/credit card. For more information, call 251-690-8150.