Chloe Ramirez
New Jersey requires that all children attending preschool, daycare, and K-12 schools receive a set of vaccinations to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Students without proof of immunity may be excluded from school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak. While COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for school attendance, certain vaccines like DTaP, Tdap, and Meningococcal are required for children entering kindergarten or 6th grade. New Jersey also recognizes medical and religious exemptions for mandatory vaccinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccinations mandatory to attend public school in New Jersey | Yes |
| Religious exemptions | Accepted |
| Medical exemptions | Accepted |
| COVID-19 vaccination | Not mandatory |
| Flu vaccine | Mandatory for children aged 6 months to 5 years |
| Hepatitis B vaccine | Mandatory for K-12 students |
| Meningococcal vaccine | Mandatory for children 11 years and older |
| MMR vaccine | Mandatory for Kindergarten students |
| Polio vaccine | Mandatory for Kindergarten students |
| Hib vaccine | Mandatory for children aged 2-11 months |
| PCV vaccine | Mandatory for children aged 2-11 months |
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What You'll Learn
Religious and medical exemptions
In New Jersey, children need to receive a minimum number of age-appropriate vaccines prior to entering childcare, preschool, or school. For example, a child two months of age must have one dose each of DTaP, Polio, Hib, and PCV before being permitted to enter childcare or preschool.
However, New Jersey also accepts valid medical and religious exemptions from providing proof of immunization. Children without proof of immunity, including those with medical and religious exemptions, may be excluded from a school, preschool, or childcare facility during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak. The Department of Health shall provide guidance to the school on the appropriateness of any such prohibition.
Religious-affiliated schools or childcare centers may withhold or grant a religious exemption from the required immunization for pupils entering or attending their institutions without challenge by any secular health authority. Each school, preschool, or childcare center must retain a copy of the written statement in the child's immunization record. Schools, preschools, or childcare centers may exclude children with religious exemptions from receiving immunizing agents during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak.
Children enrolled in school, preschool, or childcare centers before September 1, 1991, and who have previously been granted a religious exemption, are not required to reapply for a new religious exemption.
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Immunization rules for preschool and daycare
In New Jersey, children enrolled in a preschool or daycare facility must receive a set of required vaccinations. The state of New Jersey recognises exemptions from the required immunisations for both medical and religious reasons. Children without proof of immunity may be excluded from preschool or daycare during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.
The following are the minimum required number of doses for each vaccine:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Children aged 2-11 months are required to receive a minimum of two age-appropriate doses of a separate or combination Hib conjugate vaccine, or fewer as appropriate for the child's age. Children aged 12-59 months are required to receive at least one dose of a separate or combination Hib conjugate vaccine, on or after their first birthday. This is not required for kindergarten.
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV): Children aged 2-11 months are required to receive a minimum of two age-appropriate doses of PCV, or fewer as appropriate for the child's age. Children aged 12-59 months are required to receive at least one dose of PCV, on or after their first birthday.
- Polio: Children who previously attended preschool should have three doses. The requirement to receive the fourth birthday booster dose does not apply until they attend kindergarten. However, if one of these three doses was given on or after the fourth birthday, no additional doses are needed for kindergarten. Alternatively, any four doses are acceptable.
- MMR: Children are required to receive two doses of measles, one dose of mumps, and one dose of rubella once they enter kindergarten. Since the single antigen is not readily available, most children will have two MMR vaccines.
- Varicella: Children may enter preschool without a documented dose of varicella if they are under 19 months old. Children who previously had chickenpox do not need to receive the vaccine as long as a parent or guardian can provide the school with documented laboratory evidence showing immunity, a physician's written statement, or a parent's written statement that the child previously had chickenpox.
- Seasonal Influenza: Children aged 6 months through 59 months must receive the current seasonal influenza vaccine every year. Children who have not received the vaccine by December 31 are not allowed to attend preschool for the duration of the influenza season (through March 31) until they receive at least one dose of the vaccine or turn 60 months old.
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Required vaccines for K-12 schools
In New Jersey, children attending K-12 schools are required to be vaccinated against nine infectious diseases. While the state accepts valid medical and religious exemptions, unvaccinated children may be excluded from school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.
DTaP/Tdap
Children who attended childcare/preschool should have received four doses of DTaP. The requirement for the fourth birthday booster dose (fifth dose) does not apply until they attend Kindergarten. If one of these four doses was given on or after the fourth birthday, no additional doses are needed for kindergarten, and any five doses are acceptable. Children seven years and older who are not fully immunized with DTaP should have a history of receiving at least three doses of DTaP, Td, and/or Tdap or should use the CDC Catch-Up schedule to get caught up. Tdap, given at ages 10 and older, can count towards the sixth-grade school requirement.
Polio
Children who attended childcare/preschool should have received three doses of the polio vaccine. The requirement to receive the fourth birthday booster dose does not apply until they attend Kindergarten. If one of these three doses was given on or after the fourth birthday, no additional doses are needed for kindergarten, and any four doses are acceptable.
MMR
Children are required to receive two doses of the measles vaccine, one dose of the mumps vaccine, and one dose of the rubella vaccine once they enter Kindergarten. Since single antigen vaccines are not readily available, most children will have two MMR vaccines. The Antibody Titer Law (Holly's Law, NJSA 26:2N-8-11), passed on January 14, 2004, requires the New Jersey Department of Health to accept serologic evidence of protective immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella in lieu of the second ACIP-recommended MMR vaccine.
Hepatitis B
Students in K-12 are required to receive three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine or any combination vaccine containing the hepatitis B virus.
Meningococcal
Children who are at least 11 years old and in the sixth grade or higher (or a comparable age-level special education program) are required to receive a one-time dose of the meningococcal-containing vaccine.
Influenza
While the seasonal influenza vaccine is required annually for children aged six months through 59 months, it is not mandatory for students in K-12. However, children who have not received the flu vaccine by December 31 are excluded from attending childcare or preschool for the duration of the influenza season (through March 31) until they receive at least one dose or turn 60 months old.
It is important to note that COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement for school attendance in New Jersey, but it is recommended that everyone be up to date with age-appropriate vaccinations.
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Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines for 6th graders
In New Jersey, students are required to receive a series of immunizations before they can attend school. This is to prevent the spread of serious infections in group settings.
Meningococcal and Tdap vaccines are mandatory for all students entering the 6th grade who are 11 years of age or older. If a student is in the 6th grade but under 11 years of age, they must receive the vaccines within two weeks of their 11th birthday. Meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccines administered at 10 years of age or older are also accepted for school attendance in New Jersey.
Tdap vaccines are typically given to children under the age of 10, and an additional dose is required for New Jersey's immunization requirements for 6th grade and above. This additional dose must be given at least five years after the last tetanus-and-diphtheria-containing dose.
New Jersey accepts valid medical and religious exemptions for vaccinations. However, children without proof of immunity may be excluded from school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak.
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COVID-19 vaccination not required
In New Jersey, children are required to receive a minimum number of vaccinations before they can attend preschool or childcare. These include:
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Pneumococcal Conjugate (PCV)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Seasonal influenza (flu)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal (for children over 11)
However, COVID-19 vaccination is not required for children to attend public school in New Jersey. While there have been discussions and proposals regarding mandatory flu shots for students, these have not been specifically linked to COVID-19. The state continues to grapple with balancing personal rights and public health requirements when it comes to vaccinations.
New Jersey accepts valid medical and religious exemptions for vaccinations. Children with exemptions may be excluded from school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak. The state's Immunization of Pupils in School regulations outline the specific requirements and exemptions for vaccinations.
It is important to note that while COVID-19 vaccination is not currently mandatory for public school attendance in New Jersey, other vaccines are required, and parents or guardians should ensure their children are up to date with the necessary immunizations. The New Jersey Department of Health and the local health departments play a crucial role in establishing and enforcing these immunization requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the New Jersey Department of Health requires that all children attending school receive a set of mandatory immunizations.
Children without the required vaccinations may be excluded from school. Families have 30 days from their child's start date to get any necessary immunizations.
Yes, New Jersey accepts valid medical and religious exemptions. Children with such exemptions may be excluded from school during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak.
Preschoolers in New Jersey are required to be protected against 11 different potentially serious infectious diseases. This includes two doses of measles, one dose of mumps, and one dose of rubella. They must also receive at least one dose of the influenza vaccine before December 31 of each year.
No, the COVID-19 vaccination is not currently required for school attendance in New Jersey. However, it is strongly recommended that everyone stays up to date with age-appropriate vaccinations.
