https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN31476-ARMY_DIR_2020-17-000-WEB-1.pdf
MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2020-17 (Child, Youth, and School Services Immunization
Requirements)
1. References.
a. Department of Defense Instruction 6060.02 (Child Development
Programs (CDPs)), 5 August 2014, incorporating Change 2, effective 1 September 2020
b. Army Regulation (AR) 40–5 (Army Public Health Program), 12 May 2020
c. AR 40–562 (Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis for the Prevention of
Infectious Diseases), 7 October 2013
d. AR 215–3 (Nonappropriated Funds Instrumentalities Personnel Policy),
29 August 2019
e. AR 608–10 (Child Development Services), 11 May 2017
f. Army Directive 2015-44 (Updated Policy for Army Child, Youth, and School
Services Programs), 14 December 2015 (superseded in part)
2. Purpose. This directive implements an immunization policy to protect children from
communicable diseases in the Army’s Child, Youth, and School Services (CYSS)
programs. Safe, reliable childcare reduces the stress between parental responsibilities
and mission requirements, an integral factor in military readiness. The Army remains
committed to ensuring the wellness of Families enrolled.
3. Applicability. The provisions of this directive apply to the Regular Army, Army
National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
4. Background. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (most recently, measles)
are on the rise in the United States and Europe. These outbreaks have endangered the
lives of unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations, particularly infants not yet old
enough to be fully vaccinated. Given the transient nature of our military Families, I am
concerned that they face a greater risk of exposure to these diseases. The potential
spread of vaccine-preventable disease impacts military readiness and poses a danger
to Family health.
S E C R E T A R Y O F T H E A R M Y
W A S H I N G T O N
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2020-17 (Child, Youth, and School Services Immunization
Requirements)
2
5. Policy. Age-appropriate immunizations are required for children participating in
CYSS programs. Civilian employees (including specified regular volunteers) and family
childcare (FCC) providers must obtain immunizations against communicable diseases.
Immunizations must meet current standards published by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). An
immunization exemption may be granted for medical or non-medical (for example,
religious) reasons. The preservation of public health and safety remains the primary
factor in decisions to grant or deny a waiver. To reduce the risk of spreading
vaccine-preventable disease in Army CYSS programs, the following requirements
take effect within 90 days of the date of this directive:
a. Staff members, FCC providers, and volunteers who are not immunized against
vaccine-preventable diseases in accordance with ACIP recommendations will no longer
be assigned to care for infants. Staff members with approved medical or non-medical
waivers will be provided reasonable accommodation if it does not cause undue hardship
to the Army.
b. To prevent a communicable disease and to protect public health, the 30-day
grace period for children to be immunized before starting care will be suspended if the
senior commander declares an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable disease on the
installation.
c. Newly hired employees have 30 days to initiate and 60 days to complete all
required immunizations once onboard.
d. Immunization waiver requests.
(1) Medical waiver requests. The Chief, Installation Department of Public
Health (IDPH) may approve medical waiver requests if the Chief is certified as a
preventive medicine physician, occupational medicine physician, or Army Public Health
nurse. If there is no lDPH Chief, or if the Chief is not a qualified medical professional, as
described above, approval may be granted by the appropriate clinical public health staff
at the Regional Health Command. Report all approved medical waiver requests to The
Surgeon General (TSG) monthly.
(2) Non-medical waiver requests. The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-9 is the
approval authority; no interim approval is authorized. The DCS, G-9 will consult with
TSG and The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) before taking action on non-medical
waiver requests.
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2020-17 (Child, Youth, and School Services Immunization
Requirements)
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(3) Waivers must be in writing and are valid for no longer than 1 year from the
date of waiver approval or on policy revision, whichever is sooner.
(4) The DCS, G-9 may review or rescind a waiver, in consultation with TSG and
TJAG, if circumstances warrant.
(5) Within 60 days of the date of this directive, the DCS, G-9, in coordination
with TSG, will publish an EXORD detailing submission requirements for participants and
program personnel requesting medical and non-medical waivers from immunization.
6. Proponent. The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
is the proponent for this policy. The DCS, G-9 will incorporate the relevant provisions of
this directive into AR 608–10, and the TSG will incorporate the relevant provisions of
this directive into AR 40–5, within 2 years from the date of this directive.
7. Duration. This directive is rescinded on publication of the revised regulations.
Ryan D. McCarthy
DISTRIBUTION:
Principal Officials of Headquarters, Department of the Army
Commander
U.S. Army Forces Command
U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
U.S. Army Materiel Command
U.S. Army Futures Command
U.S. Army Pacific
U.S. Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Central
U.S. Army North
U.S. Army South
U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command
U.S. Army Cyber Command
U.S. Army Medical Command
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
(CONT)
SUBJECT: Army Directive 2020-17 (Child, Youth, and School Services Immunization
Requirements)
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DISTRIBUTION: (CONT)
U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
U.S. Army Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
U.S. Army Human Resources Command
Superintendent, U.S. Military Academy
Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
Superintendent, Arlington National Cemetery
Commandant, U.S. Army War College
Director, U.S. Civilian Human Resources Agency
CF:
Director of Business Transformation
Commander, Eighth Army