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Edmonds School District

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Law Change

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Exemption Law Change

Posted on 06/21/2019

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt students from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school. As part of the law change, school staff need to follow up with any students who currently have a personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine. A letter will be sent home to families that have had a personal exemption for MMR on file. This letter is expected to arrive in the next two weeks and indicates that your student will be out of compliance for school entry starting in August. Please note quick facts below.

Law Change Quick Facts

  • The new law will take effect on July 28, 2019, and applies to all public schools.
  • Those with a personal and philosophical exemption for MMR are no longer in immunization compliance for school entry.
  • Students with personal and philosophical exemption for MMR will need to make a decision to determine how to be in compliance for school entry.
  • Personal and philosophical exemptions related to other vaccine requirements (not MMR) are still valid.
  • This law does not change religious and medical exemption laws. Students who have one of these types of exemptions on file are not affected by the new law.
  • Access your family’s immunization records if you need to check whether you or your student meets the MMR vaccine requirements.