The COVID-19 vaccine is NOT required at this
time for students enrolled in Texas K-12 schools, colleges, universities, or
childcare/pre-K facilities. Conscientious exemption affidavits do not
include the COVID-19 vaccine, as they only contain exemptions for vaccines
required per Rule §97.63 of the
Texas Administrative Code.
To
attend Texas schools or daycare facilities, students must be up-to-date or in
the process of receiving vaccines for all state-mandated vaccines, or they must
have a valid medical or conscientious exemption on file. Conscientious
exemption affidavits must be requested from Texas DSHS. Staff process
conscientious exemption affidavit requests in the order they are received.
Please be advised that high request volumes – especially during back-to-school
times – and/or mail delivery times may impact the time it takes for requested
affidavits to be delivered.
Note that all conscientious exemption affidavits must be
notarized before submission to a school or daycare facility. The notary public
must reside in Texas and follow the Texas Secretary of State requirements
regarding notary publics.
School
vaccination rules apply regardless of whether education is received via virtual
learning or on campus. A list of state vaccine requirements for attending K-12,
Pre-K, and childcare facilities is available at the Texas School &
Childcare Facility webpage. For a list of providers who offer low-cost
vaccines, visit the Texas Vaccines for Children Provider Locator webpage.
For more information regarding COVID-19 school communication
resources, please visit the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website.