DON’T WAIT. VACCINATE NOW.

Immunizations ensure that children attending school are protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases. Children at any grade, kindergarten through 12th, including all public schools, intermediate units, special education and home education programs must show proof of immunization before they can attend school in Pennsylvania. Proof of immunization must be on file at the school that each student attends prior to the student’s first day of school. Proof of immunization means a written record showing the dates (month, day, year) your child was immunized.

For attendance in all grades, children need the following:

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

For a complete list of immunizations required for school and exclusion rules, click here.

NEED ASSISTANCE GETTING A CHILD VACCINATED?

If your child is in need of an immunization(s), and you are unable to obtain the immunization(s) from your health care provider, you may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 610-378-4352, Berks Community Health Center at 484-772-1111 or Tower Health at Home Immunization clinic at 610-378-0481 extension 3294 for information and an appointment. For a list of clinic dates, click here.

FOR STUDENTS IN 6TH GRADE:

VACCINATION REMINDER — One dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap) and one dose of meningococcal conjugate (MCV) are required for the start of 7th grade.  Please discuss the above vaccinations with your child’s health care provider at their 6th grade physical exam. If your child receives the above vaccinations at their 6th grade physical exam, be sure to request a documentation of the vaccinations administered and submit a copy of the documentation to your child’s school nurse.  

FOR ATTENDANCE IN 7TH GRADE:

On the first day of 7th grade, a child must have had the following vaccinations or risks exclusion:

• 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate (MCV)

FOR ATTENDANCE IN 12TH GRADE:

On the first day of 12th grade, a child must have had the following vaccination or risks exclusion:

• 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate (MCV)
• If one dose was given at 16 years of age or older, that shall count as the 12th grade dose.

 

*Vaccines required for entrance to school (kindergarten/1st), 7th grade and 12 grade continue to be required in each succeeding school year.