Immunizations

California State law requires children entering school be fully immunized at the time of enrollment.  Students lacking one or more required doses, but who are not currently due for a dose, may be conditionally admitted until the remaining dose or doses are due.

Students who are not adequately immunized will not be admitted to school.  The law allows (a) parents/guardians to choose exemptions from this requirement based on personal beliefs and (b) physicians of children to elect medical exemptions.  The law does not allow parents/guardians to elect an exemption simply because of inconvenience.  For children with medical exemptions, the physician’s written statement should be stapled to the California School Immunization Record (CSIR)

Immunizations may be administered by your family physician or other health care provider or by the Merced County Department of Public Health’s immunization clinic.  Call (209) 381-1010 for immunizations clinic dates and times.

First Grade Physical

The California Health & Safety Code requires every student entering first grade to show proof of having a physical exam within 18 months prior to enrollment.  This exam may be obtained form your family doctor or from any one of several Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program provider in the area.  You may ask your school office staff for a list of providers if you are unsure of where to obtain this exam.

There is no charge for this exam, regardless of whether the child has coverage or not.  The CHDP program will pay for an exam if it has been at least one year since the last exam.  Please consult your school office if you are having difficulty scheduling this exam.

Your child will be assigned to a classroom only after a certificate verifying the physical examination is presented to the school office. Your child may be excluded for a period of up to five school days if proof of the exam or an appointment card is not presented to the school office.  A parental waiver can be completed under unusual circumstances.