Immunization Requirements for Enrollment

Virginia Immunization Requirements for Students

Physical Requirements

Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten: Prior to the first day of school, all preschool and pre-kindergarten students must present a health physical dated within 12 months of school entry. The physical form MCH213 must have the appropriate section relevant to preschool and pre-kindergarten completed and signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. 

Note: A new physical will be required for kindergarten entry.

Kindergarten through fifth grade: Students entering kindergarten or who are new to Virginia schools through grade five must present prior to school entry a record of a comprehensive physical examination. The examination must have been done within the past 12 months and contain all state required components. The school entrance physical form (MCH213) must be completed and signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. 

Sixth through twelfth grade: At this time, no physical is required for school entry.

Immunization Requirements

Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten: All state of Virginia four-year-old shots are required for a child to participate in a preschool/pre-kindergarten program. Any student turning four after the first day of school must complete all required shots within 15 days after their 4th birthday to remain in the program.

Kindergarten through twelfth grade: All students must adhere to the state of Virginia’s Minimum Immunization Requirements for Entry into School:

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.

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) followed by a booster dose at age 12-15 months. 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 born on and after January I, 1994. 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 isused. The 2 RECOMBIVAX HB Adult doses must be separated by a minimum of 4 months. If the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine schedule is used, there should be at least 1 month spacing between the 1st and 2nd doses and 4 months spacing between the 1st and 3rd doses.

Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) 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). First dose must be administered at age 12 months or older. 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: Two to four doses, dependent on age at first dose, of pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine for children less than two years of age.

Polio Vaccine - A minimum of 3 doses 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 IPVor OPV polio vaccine before the fourth birthday is adequately immunized and does not need a dose after the fourth birthday.

Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine - 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.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)- state legislation requiring the HPV vaccine for female students entering the sixth grade will go into effect on October 1, 2008. The first dose shall be administered before the child enters sixth grade (Code of Virginia §32.1-46, subdivision 12). Since the effective date occurs after the 2008-09 school year begins, the vaccine will not be required for school entry until the 2009-10 school year. The opt-out procedure for this vaccine is being determined by the state.

NOTE: The 4-day grace period for administration of vaccines does not apply to MMR vaccine or Varicella vaccine.