In December, 2014, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules approved a new educational requirement for Michigan parents opting their children out of getting vaccinated before entering school.  The new rule allows parents/guardians to have the opportunity to speak with a health educator from their local health department about their concerns and questions regarding immunizations prior to the nonmedical waiver being signed.  Any parent/guardian who wants to claim a nonmedical waiver will need to receive education regarding the benefits of vaccination and the risks of disease from a county health department before obtaining the certified nonmedical waiver form through the Local Health Department. 

For children who do not receive vaccines for religious or other objections to vaccines, an Immunization Waiver Form, certified by a Michigan Local Health Department (LHD) following a waiver education session, is required to be submitted to the child's school or program. In Macomb County, waiver education is available at the following Health Department location:

Macomb County Health Department

43525 Elizabeth Road

Mount Clemens, MI 48043 

By appointment only
For families that reside in or attend Macomb County schools or programs
Call the School Immunization Program at (586)466-6840, for an appointment for nonmedical waiver education services, Mon-Fri, 8:30 -5:00, except holidays.

Failure to meet vaccine or waiver requirements, as set by the Public Health Code, requires the school principal, administrator or program director to EXCLUDE a child from the school or program attendance.