Immunizations

Attention Parent and Guardians:

Effective July 1, 2017 Pennsylvania has new immunization requirements.


PA Department of Health School Immunization requirements summary of changes

The changes are as follows:

Students in ALL grades (K-12) are now required to have four doses of Polio (the 4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given). **A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose**

Students entering 7th grade are required to have one dose of Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis (Tdap), and 1 dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV).

Students entering 12th grade are required to have one dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV). **If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the twelfth grade dose**

A student who does not have the required vaccination series completed upon the start of the new school year 2017-2018 has 5 days to obtain necessary vaccinations or provide a medical certificate from his/her physician on or before the 5th day of school with the dates scheduled to receive his/her remaining doses.

Full list of Immunization Requirements

Students entering school for the first time:

  • 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)*
  • 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)**
  • 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella***
  • 3 doses of hepatitis B
  • 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

*Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable, OT or Td

**A fourth dose is not necessary if the third dose was administered at age 4 years or older and at least 6 months after the previous dose

***Usually given as MMR

Students entering 7th grade:

  • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) on the first day of 7th grade.
  • 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) on the first day of 7th grade.

Students entering 12th grade:

  • 1 dose of MCV on the first day of 12th grade. If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the twelfth grade dose.

**If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.