Welcome to Kindergarten!

Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements (28 PA Code Ch.23)

Children in Kindergarten need the following immunizations for attendance:

• 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (usually given as a DTaP or DTP or DT or Td) – one dose must be on or after 4^th birthday
• 4 doses of polio – 4^th dose must be on or after 4^th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given
• 2 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (usually given as MMR)
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B (properly spaced)
• 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

Vaccine Information can be found at: www.dontwaitvaccinate.pa.gov

Vaccine compliance is determined by the number of doses and spacing of vaccine doses.

The time for completing immunizations decided by the PA Department of Education and the PA Department of Health is now 5 days. To prevent your child from being excluded from school, you must provide one of the following by the first day of school:

• A copy of the required immunizations
• A written plan to complete immunizations signed by a licensed health care provider

If you do not have insurance or your insurance does not cover immunizations, please call one of the organizations below:

• Pennsylvania Department of Health at (717) 299-7597
• LGH ChildProtect at (717) 544-3811

In addition to the above vaccinations, a physical exam and dental exam are also required for entry into a school in Pennsylvania.  The physical and dental exams should be completed by the first day of school.  Forms and other health information is available on the nurse’s blog under forms.

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A certificate of immunization exemption must be presented if there is any reason that a child cannot be vaccinated against these diseases.  If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.

Just a reminder as we close out this school year and head into summer…

• All students in Kindergarten, 6th, and 11th grades are required to have completed physical exams.
• All students in Kindergarten, 3rd, and 7th grades are required to have a completed dental exam.
• Incoming Kindergarten students are required to have their immunizations completed prior to the first day of school.
• Incoming 7th graders are required to have the Tdap and MCV vaccines completed prior to the first day of school.
• Incoming 12th graders are required to have the 2nd dose of MCV vaccine completed prior to the first day of school.
• All other students that have been notified of immunization needs are required to have these completed prior to the first day of school.

PLEASE NOTE:  Immunization Documentation (this is either an updated copy of the immunization record, a note signed by the doctor noting the date of the appointment, or a Religious/Moral Exemption) MUST be completed by the FIRST day of school.  If it is not, the time period to have the documentation turned in has been shortened to 5 days.  After the 5 days, your child will be at risk for exclusion (they will not be allowed to attend school) until the documentation has been received.

Exams and immunizations may be mailed to the health room, faxed, or emailed to your school nurse.  For contact information, see the Contact Us page.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact your school nurse.