Immunization Service

Immunization Service, an Oklahoma State Department of Health Prevention and Preparedness Services program, provides Oklahomans with reliable information and resources to make decisions about vaccines. Immunization Service works with other state agencies, such as the Department of Human Services, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority and the Department of Education to raise awareness about the value of immunizations and help to increase immunization levels among Oklahomans to prevent diseases.

What We Do

• Provide immunization information to the public and answer questions about vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
• Monitor immunization compliance in childcare facilities and schools as required by state law.
• Provide vaccines through county health departments.
• Operate and maintain the Oklahoma State Immunization Information System (OSIIS).
• Provide immunization consultation and training to immunization providers, schools, and childcare facilities throughout Oklahoma.
• Coordinate the purchase, distribution and quality assurance of vaccine to over 800 public and private clinics enrolled in the Vaccines for Children Program statewide.

Why Immunize?

Vaccinations protect the people you care about by reducing the spread of preventable diseases. Vaccinations can save your family time and money. Vaccinations can save your child's life by protecting against preventable diseases.

• Calling the Shots - Examine the science behind vaccinations, the return of preventable diseases, and the risks of opting out in this free PBS series.
• Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know - Download this free mobile app from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to access information on the safety, science and importance of vaccines.
• What is the Harm in Delaying or Spacing Out Vaccines - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia helps parents gain understating of delaying vaccination.

Helpful Tips

• Vaccine Safety (CDC.gov)
• Read the Vaccine Information Statements
  • Ask questions so you understand the risks of the diseases and the benefits and risks of the vaccines.
  • You will have them for reference if you need to know what vaccine side effects to expect and what side effects need immediate medical attention.
  • Take these records with you to all health-care visits to ensure that you and your children are kept up-to-date on vaccines and so you or your child do not get extra doses of vaccine.
  • These reactions will be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System which is a nationwide system for tracking adverse events following immunizations.
  • The system will work only if reactions are reported.

  Researchers have studied the meningococcal vaccines very carefully and they are shown to be very safe.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why should we immunize against diseases we rarely see?
    • We need to immunize against diseases we rarely see because they still occur in other parts of the worlds and if we stop vaccinating the diseases will come back.
    • Is it safe for my baby to receive multiple vaccines at one time?
      • Yes, babies’ immune systems can handle much more than they are exposed to with several vaccinations on the same day.
      • What if we get behind on the vaccine schedule?
        • You do not have to start over. Simply make an appointment and pick up the schedule where you left off.
        • Can I take my child to any county health department in the state to get their vaccinations?
          • Yes. However, if your child has health insurance that covers the cost of vaccines, we recommend they receive their vaccines from their primary care physician. However, if your health insurance does not cover the cost of a particular vaccine or you don’t have a doctor, you can take your child to any County Health Department in Oklahoma to receive their vaccines.

          Vaccination Exemption Information for Parents

          Take one or more of the following to the school:

          • A record of your child's vaccinations
          • A record showing your child is in the process of receiving the required vaccines:
          • Student's must complete the vaccines on schedule,
          • Obtain a schedule to complete the vaccines from your doctor or clinic and give a copy to the school,
          • Certification of Vaccine Exemption Form for Oklahoma (English)
          • Certification of Exemption (Spanish)
          • Please note: Exemption certificates that are not properly completed or have missing information will not be approved and will be returned to the school for the parent to correct or complete.
            
          • County health departments and private doctors do not have exemption certificates.
          • Parents are not required nor should they come to the Oklahoma State Department of Health to obtain an exemption certificate.
          • Oklahoma law allows exemptions for medical, religious or personal reasons.
          • There is no legal penalty for parents or guardians who obtain exemptions for these reasons. However, unvaccinated children are at greater risk of catching the diseases and might be excluded from school for the duration of a disease outbreak if one occurs.
          • In the case of a disease outbreak in a school, representatives of the Oklahoma State Department of Health or local health department will visit the school, thoroughly review student immunization records, and make recommendations to the Commissioner of Health on whether or not students with exemptions should be excluded from school or school functions for the duration of the outbreak.
          • The Commissioner of Health has the authority to exclude students with exemptions from school for the duration of a disease outbreak. This decision is usually based on the risk of disease transmission in the facility. The risk of transmission depends on the characteristics of the particular disease and the potential number of susceptible people that could be exposed to the disease.
          • Students may have an exemption to one or more vaccines and receive the other vaccinations. In this case a student may have an immunization record and an exemption certificate on file with the school.

          Schools send a copy of all exemption certificates to the Oklahoma State Department of Health Immunization Service for approval. In the meantime, the child should be admitted to school. All exemptions are reviewed and approved or disapproved by the Immunization Service. Schools are then notified as to whether or not an exemption has been is approved. When a school receives notification that an exemption has not been approved, the school must notify the parent. The parent must complete and submit another exemption certificate or present an immunization record in order for the child to continue to attend school.