IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILD:
California Department of Public Health – Immunization Branch
Immunizations are more important now so that we maintain herd immunity against other disease and don’t create another pandemic.
All children are required to have their vaccinations fully completed/up to date before enrolling in grades TK – 12 unless exempted as provided by law. Students enrolled in PHEP and Connect Academy must meet the vaccine requirements as they are blended learning platforms.
For more information about school immunization requirements and resources, please visit the California Department of Health website at www.shotsforschool.org or contact your local health department or county office of education.
| Grade |
Number of Doses Required of Each Immunization123 |
|
TK/K-12 Admission
|
4 Polio4 |
5 DTap5 |
3 Hep B6 |
2 MMR7 |
2 Varicella |
|
(7th - 12th)8
|
|
1 DTap |
|
|
|
|
|
7th Grade Advancement 9,10
|
|
1 DTap8 |
|
|
2 Varicella10 |
|
1 Requirements for K-12 admission also apply to transfer pupils.
2 Combination vaccines (e.g., MMRV) meet the requirements for individual component vaccines. Doses of DTP count towards the DTaP requirement.
3 Any vaccine administered four or fewer days prior to the minimum required age is valid.
4 Three doses of polio vaccine meet the requirement if one dose was given on or after the fourth birthday.
5 Four doses of DTaP meet the requirement if at least one dose was given on or after the fourth birthday. Three doses meet the requirement if at least one dose of Tdap, DTaP, or DTP vaccine was given on or after the 7th birthday. One or two doses of Tdap vaccine given on or after the seventh birthday count towards the requirement.
6 For seventh grade admission, refer to Health and Safety Code section 120335, subdivision (c).
7 Two doses of measles, two doses of mumps, and one dose of rubella vaccine meet the requirement, separately or combined. Only doses administered on or after the first birthday meet the requirement.
8 For 7th-12th graders, at least one dose of pertussis-containing vaccine is required on or after the seventh birthday.
9 For children in ungraded schools, pupils 12 years and older are subject to the seventh grade advancement requirements.
10 The varicella requirement for seventh grade advancement expires after June 30, 2025.
DTaP/Tdap = diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine
Hep B = hepatitis B vaccine
MMR = measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine
Varicella = chickenpox vaccine
Medical Exemptions
1. For admissions on or after January 1, 2021, what is required for a medical exemption to a required immunization?
Starting January 1, 2021:
- Medical exemptions can only be issued through the California Immunization Registry – Medical Exemption website (CAIR-ME) by physicians licensed in California.
- Schools and child care facilities may only accept from parents new medical exemptions that are issued using CAIR-ME.
2. Are medical exemptions filed for children in attendance at a California child care facility or school before 2021 valid in later years?
A medical exemption filed at a pre-kindergarten facility or school remains valid until the earliest of:
- When the child enrolls in the next grade span (TK/K-6th grade, 7th-12th grade)
- The expiration date specified in a temporary medical exemption
- Revocation of the exemption because the issuing physician has been subject to disciplinary action from the physician’s licensing entity.
3. A doctor has told a child’s parents that their child needs a medical exemption from a required immunization. How do parents get a medical exemption for their child?
Starting January 1, 2021, all new medical exemptions for school and child care entry must be issued through CAIR-ME. Parents and physicians can register and create an account in CAIR-ME at any time. Once registered, parents can log in to CAIR-ME to request a medical exemption. Parents take the exemption request number to their child’s physician who can log in to CAIR-ME to issue the exemption. Once the exemption is issued, the physician prints the two page form and provides a copy to the parents to give to their child’s school or child care facility.