Oklahoma allows vaccine exemptions for school children based on personal, religious, and medical reasons. In addition to exemption law, there is a more recent section of law that requires school districts to inform parents of exemption options.
Per SB 658, which went into effect July 1st 2021,
“The State Department of Education shall provide and ensure that each school district in this state provides, on the school district website and in any notice or publication provided to parents regarding immunization requests, the following information regarding immunization requirements for school attendance:
“For school enrollment, a parent or guardian shall provide one of the following:
1. Current, up-to-date immunization records; or
2. A completed and signed exemption form.”
Is your school following the law?
As the 2023-24 school year approaches, we have received an unprecedented number of reports that schools are STILL violating this section of state law. Is your school on our list? Check our list below of SB 658 violations to find out!
You can help us compile a more exact list by checking your local school district’s website. Click on the enrollment section and see if your school is including the required language when mentioning vaccination requirements. You can also check their social media. It is required by law that EVERY notice about vaccination requirements has the quoted language! This includes social media posts or email notices.
If your school is not following the law, please report that to us HERE so we can update our list!
We need your help to make sure that this important section of state law is followed. We have included sample email and phone scripts as well as contact information to make this as easy as possible!
If your school district is not in compliance with SB 658, please contact the following:
- Modify and print this letter, then mail or email it to your local school district’s Superintendent, School Board, Principal, and/or school nurse. You should be able to find their contact information by searching your school district’s website. If you need assistance with this, reach out to your OKHPR Senate District Captain. (If you do not know who your OKHPR Senate District Captain is, email us at captains@okhpr.com)
- Because the State Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that this law is followed by all school districts, please contact State Superintendent of Education Ryan Walters at 405-521-3301. Also call Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office at (405) 521-3921. You can use the following phone script for both.
“Hi I am calling because I am a resident of _______ school district. I noticed that they are in violation of SB 658 because they are not informing parents about vaccine exemptions on their website or in a notice sent out on (date). I wanted to contact your office to ensure that this is addressed.”
Lastly, share this blog and the image at the top of this page with your friends and family to spread the word that ‘No Shots, No School, Not True!”
Resources related to vaccine law can be found on the resources page of our website. Here you will find the Oklahoma vaccine exemption form (which is used for school or daycare entry), read vaccine law, and read our vaccine exemption FAQ which includes information on what facilities are required to accept a vaccine exemption, how to fill out the form, what to do if your exemption is denied, and how to report a school that is violating the law.