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Health department rolls out online vaccine-exemption certification and board backs guidance for providers
Summary
The department deployed a DocuSign-based online vaccine-exemption certification workflow and the advisory board voted to recommend that the health officer promote distribution of the CDC vaccine information statement, make the state opt-out form available to parents, and encourage alternative (paper) vaccine-tracking for those who opt out of the state registry.
The St. Clair County Health Department reported it has deployed a fully online vaccine-exemption certification system that uses a DocuSign workflow to collect a parent's email and supporting information. Health officials said the system has processed at least a dozen exemption submissions in the early rollout and that the system cross-checks submissions and may take up to five days to validate and certify entries.
Separately, the medical director proposed using routine Vaccines for Children (VFC) compliance encounters as an opportunity to promote statutory rights and best practices: distribute the CDC vaccine information statement (VIS), provide the state opt-out form that allows parents to prevent their child's records from entering the state immunization registry (testimony used the term "Micker" / "MIICR" in places), and for parents who do opt out, encourage VFC clinics to adopt alternative tracking methods such as paper immunization records. Supporters framed the measure as a quality-improvement step for providers and as honoring parents' statutory rights.
The advisory board moved and approved the recommendation by voice vote, with the meeting minutes recording the motion as carried. Health department staff said they will begin outreach to VFC providers and that the new state registry update (the presenter referenced an incoming platform change) may also include an option for a "modified vaccine schedule" flag to limit recall reminders for families using alternative schedules.
What happens next: The health department will incorporate this guidance into VFC inspections and provider outreach, circulate materials for alternative tracking to clinics that request them, and continue monitoring the performance of the online exemption workflow.
Sources: Department presentation on DocuSign workflow; board motion recorded at the meeting.
