The U.S. State of New Jersey

Allows:

Medical exemptions
Religious exemptions

TITLE 18A. EDUCATION
SUBTITLE 8A. HIGHER EDUCATION; PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER 61D. RULES AND REGULATIONS

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-3 (2002)

§ 18A:61D-3. Conflict with religious beliefs

A student who submits to the institution of higher education a written statement that immunization conflicts with his religious beliefs shall not be required to submit a list of immunizations to the institution as a condition of admission or continued enrollment.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-4 (2002)

§ 18A:61D-4. Contraindication

A student who submits to the institution a written statement that an immunization is medically contraindicated shall submit a valid immunization record of other administered immunizations in accordance with regulations promulgated by the department.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:61D-10 (2003)

§ 18A:61D-10. Exemption from vaccination

A student shall not be required to receive a vaccination pursuant to section 2 or 3 of this act [C. 18A:61D-9 and 18A:40-21.1] based upon one of the following:

a. a written statement submitted to the secondary school or institution of higher education, as applicable, by a licensed physician indicating that the vaccine is medically contraindicated for a specific period of time and the reasons for the medical contraindication, based upon valid medical reasons as determined by regulation of the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, which shall exempt the student from the vaccination for the stated period of time; or

b. a written statement submitted to the secondary school or institution of higher education, as applicable, by the student, or the student's parent or guardian if the student is a minor, explaining how the administration of the vaccine conflicts with the bona fide religious tenets or practices of the student, or the parent or guardian, as appropriate; except that a general philosophical or moral objection to the vaccination shall not be sufficient for an exemption on religious grounds.

N.J. Stat. § 18A:40-21.1 (2002)

§ 18A:40-21.1. Hepatitis B vaccination required for public and private school students in grades nine through twelve
The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall require the immunization of a child for hepatitis B as a condition of enrollment in grades nine through 12.

b. Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year, a principal, director or other person in charge of a public or private school in this State shall not knowingly admit or retain in grades nine through 12 a child whose parent or guardian has not submitted acceptable evidence of the child's immunization for hepatitis B prior to or during enrollment in ninth grade, as provided by regulation of the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services.

c. The Commissioner of Health and Senior Services shall adopt rules and regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) to carry out the purposes of this section.

TITLE 26. HEALTH AND VITAL STATISTICS
CHAPTER 1A. STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH -- REORGANIZED

N.J. Stat. § 26:1A-9.1 (2003)

§ 26:1A-9.1. Exemption for pupils from mandatory immunization; interference with religious rights; suspension
Provisions in the State Sanitary Code in implementation of this act shall provide for exemption for pupils from mandatory immunization if the parent or guardian of the pupil objects thereto in a written statement signed by the parent or guardian upon the ground that the proposed immunization interferes with the free exercise of the pupil's religious rights. This exemption may be suspended by the State Commissioner of Health during the existence of an emergency as determined by the State Commissioner of Health.

N.J. Stat. § 26:1A-9.1 (2002)

TITLE 26. HEALTH AND VITAL STATISTICS

CHAPTER 2N. PERTUSSIS VACCINATION

N.J. Stat. § 26:2N-4 (2002)

§ 26:2N-4. Contraindication exemption
A child shall not be required to receive a pertussis vaccine as a condition for admission to a public or private school if the child's health care provider states in writing that the vaccine is medically contraindicated pursuant to subsection b. (1) of section 2 of this act and the reasons for the medical contradictions.