The following is an excerpt from The Guardian of Public Health, submitted by Cristi Bramer, MPH, MDCH Division of Immunization Epidemiologist.

Schools in the United States have required vaccines for school entry for over 150 years because it helps maintain high vaccination coverage and minimize the risk from vaccine preventable diseases. Currently, Michigan’s public health code requires vaccinations that protect against 10 diseases for children enrolled in kindergarten, seventh grade (this was 6th grade prior to the 2014-15 school year) and those newly enrolled in the school district. Michigan is one of 19 states that allow a parent/guardian to obtain a philosophical waiver for the school-required immunizations.