This letter serves as notification to inform you of a temporary suspension of immunization requirements specified in 10A NCAC 41A .0401 through September 30, 2020.

This will facilitate additional time for families to meet the immunization and school health assessment requirements due to potential barriers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The temporary suspension of the immunization deadline is being issued pursuant to 10A N.C. Admin Code 41A .0401(c). Consistent with this temporary suspension: 

Additional Time to Complete Immunization Under G.S. 130A-155(a) and 130A-155.1(a)

The time period for the temporary suspension, from today through September 30, 2020, inclusive, will not count towards the 30 calendar days following the child’s first date of school or child care facility attendance that a parent, guardian or responsible person has to submit a certificate of immunization. This temporary suspension of time to complete immunization requirements also applies to individuals attending NC colleges and universities. 

Additional Time to Complete Health Assessment Under G.S. 130A-440(a)

Pursuant to Executive Order 156, the requirements for presentation of the school health assessment for every NC child entering kindergarten or higher grade in public schools for the first time will align with the presentation of the certification of immunization.

Therefore, the time period from today through September 30, 2020, inclusive, will not count towards the 30 calendar days following the child’s first date of school attendance that the family has to submit proof of a health assessment

Additional Time to Submit Reports Under G.S. 130A-155, 130A-155.1, and 130A-441

NCDHHS understands that the temporary suspension of these requirements may result in delayed submission of annual reports in accordance with G.S. 130A-155(c), G.S. 130A-155.1(c), and 130A-441(c).

Given the situation, NCDHHS will accept submissions until December 15, 2020, pursuant to Executive Order 156. Although the temporary suspension may provide additional time for families to get required immunizations and health assessments for schools in communities experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage all children to obtain the needed immunizations in accordance with G.S. 130A-152 and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as early as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the on-call nurse for the Immunization Branch at 919-707-5575 or your school nurse consultant.