School & Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements
Documentary proof shall be provided of adequate age-appropriate immunization with the prescribed number of doses of vaccine indicated below for attendance at a public or private elementary, middle or secondary school, child care center, nursery school, family day care home or developmental center. Vaccines must be administered in accordance with the harmonized schedule of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family Physicians and must be administered within spacing and age requirements (available at http:/www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/Immunization/acip.htm).
Diphtheria, Tetanus, & Pertussis (DTaP, DTP, or tdap) A minimum of 3 doses. A child must have at least one dose of DTaP or DTP vaccine on or after the fourth birthday. If the child has received six doses of DTaP or DTP before the fourth birthday, additional doses are contraindicated. DT (Diphtheria, Tetanus) vaccine is required for children who are medically exempt from the pertussis-containing vaccine (DTaP or DTP). Adult Td is required for children 7 years of age and older who do not meet the minimum requirements for tetanus and diphtheria. Effective July 1, 2006, a booster dose of Tdap vaccine is required for all children entering the 6th grade, if at least five years have passed since the last dose of tetanus-containing vaccine.
Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (Hib) Vaccine This vaccine is required ONLY for children up to 60 months of age. A primary series consists of either 2 or 3 doses (depending on the manufacturer). However, the child’s current age and not the number of prior doses received govern the number of doses required. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 15 and 60 months are only required to have one dose of vaccine.
Hepatitis B Vaccine A complete series of 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine is required for all children. However, the FDA has approved a 2-dose schedule ONLY for adolescents 11-15 years of age AND ONLY when the Merck Brand (RECOMBIVAX HB) Adult Formulation Hepatitis B Vaccine is used. If the 2-dose schedule is used for adolescent 11-15 years of age it must be clearly documented on the school form.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) Effective October 1, 2008, a complete series of 3 doses of HPV vaccine is recommended for both male and females. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters the 6th grade. After reviewing educational materials approved by the Board of Health, the parent or guardian, at the parent’s or guardian’s sole discretion, may elect for the child not to receive the HPV vaccine.
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine A minimum of 2 measles, 1 mumps, and 1 rubella. (Most children receive 2 doses of each because the vaccine usually administered is the combination vaccine MMR). The first dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. The second dose of vaccine does not have to be administered until age 4-6 years (usually at entry to kindergarten) but can be administered at any time after the minimum interval between dose 1 and dose 2.
Pneumococcal (PCV) Vaccine This vaccine is required ONLY for children less than two years of age. Two to four doses, dependent on age at first dose, of the pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine, are required.
Polio Vaccine A minimum of 3 does of all IPV or all OPV polio vaccine. If a child has had only three doses of polio vaccine, one dose must have been administered on or after the fourth birthday. However, a child who has received four doses of any combination of IPV or OPV polio vaccine before the fourth birthday is adequately immunized and does not need a dose after the fourth birthday.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine All susceptible children born on and after January 1, 1997, shall be required to have one dose of chickenpox vaccine administered at age 12 months or older.
For further information, please call the Division of Immunization at 1-800-568-1929 (in state only) or 804-864-8055.
