The State Health Officer is authorized, subject to the approval of the State Board of Health, to designate diseases against which children must be immunized or for which they must be tested prior to, or, in certain instances after entry into the schools of Alabama.

It shall be the responsibility of the parents or guardians of children to have their children immunized or tested as required by Section 16-30-1.

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply if:

(1) In the absence of an epidemic or immediate threat thereof, the parent or guardian of the child shall object thereto in writing on grounds that such immunization or testing conflicts with his religious tenets and practices; or

(2) Certification by a competent medical authority providing individual exemption from the required immunization or testing is presented the admissions officer of the school.

The boards of education and the governing authority of each private school shall require each pupil who is otherwise entitled to admittance to kindergarten or first grade, whichever is applicable, or any other entrance into an Alabama public or private school, to present a certification of immunization or testing for the prevention of those communicable diseases designated by the State Health Officer, except as provided in Section 16-30-3. Provided, however, that any student presently enrolled in a school in this state, not having been immunized upon initial entrance to school, is hereby required to present a certification of immunization as described in this section upon commencement of the next school year. Section 16-30-1 and this section shall apply only to kindergarten through 12th grade and not to the institutions of higher learning.

The State Health Officer shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out this chapter.