Brady Collins
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your children from serious diseases. In the context of schools, vaccinations are crucial to maintaining the health and safety of students, staff, and the wider community. While requirements may vary by state and grade level, it is generally expected that children receive their vaccinations before entering school or child care. This often includes providing documentation, such as a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS), to demonstrate that a child has received the necessary vaccinations or has proof of immunity. Some states, like New York, mandate that children receive all required doses of vaccines to attend school unless a valid medical exemption is provided. Other states, like Georgia, specify particular vaccines like Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines for certain grade levels. Ultimately, ensuring that children are vaccinated before entering school is a critical step in protecting their health and well-being, as well as that of those around them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Requirements vary by location. For example, in Georgia, children entering 7th grade or transferring into grades 8-12 are required to receive the Tdap and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. In New York, children must receive all required doses of vaccines to attend school unless they have a valid medical exemption. |
| Age Group | Vaccination requirements can apply to children from preschool through 12th grade. In some states, vaccine requirements extend to children attending daycare. |
| Timing | There are specific timelines for when children need to receive their vaccinations. For example, in Washington, children must be up to date on required vaccinations before they can attend school. |
| Exemptions | Some states allow exemptions from vaccination requirements. For example, Georgia allows religious exemptions, while New York only permits medical exemptions. |
| Documentation | Parents or guardians may need to provide documentation of their child's vaccination status, such as a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form. |
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What You'll Learn
Required vaccinations for school entry
In the United States, children are required to receive certain vaccinations before they can enter school. These requirements vary by state and are put in place to protect children, families, and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Here is an overview of the required vaccinations for school entry in specific states:
New York
In New York State, children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade must receive all required doses of vaccines unless they have a valid medical exemption. This includes children attending public, private, and religious schools. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine. There are no non-medical exemptions to school vaccine requirements in New York. For children who are unvaccinated or overdue, they must receive at least the first dose of all required vaccines within the first 14 days of school and subsequent vaccines within 14 days of when they are due.
Georgia
In Georgia, children attending 7th grade and new entrants from 8th to 12th grade must receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine and one dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine. Additionally, students entering or transferring into 11th grade need proof of a meningococcal booster shot (MCV4) unless their first dose was received after their 16th birthday. Georgia law requires students to be vaccinated against meningococcal disease unless they have an exemption for religious reasons, which must be indicated through a completed Affidavit of Religious Objection to Immunization (Form 2208).
Washington
In Washington State, children entering school or child care are required to have certain vaccinations before they can start. Families must provide a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form, showing the child's vaccinations or proof of immunity to specific diseases. If a family does not follow up on required vaccinations, their child will be excluded from school. Washington State offers vaccines at no cost to children 18 years and younger through the Childhood Vaccine Program.
It is important to note that vaccination requirements may change over time, and parents should refer to their local health departments, schools, or healthcare providers for the most up-to-date information on required vaccinations for school entry in their specific state or region.
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Religious or medical exemptions
In the United States, all 50 states and the District of Columbia allow medical exemptions for mandatory school vaccinations. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that could be negatively impacted by receiving a vaccine. For example, a child may have a disease or be taking medication that weakens their immune system, they may have a severe allergy to a vaccine or an ingredient in it, or they may have had a serious reaction to a vaccine in the past. To obtain a medical exemption, a parent or guardian must ask a doctor (MD or DO) to put it in writing. The doctor must be registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States. Unless the child has a lifelong condition, the exemption must be renewed annually.
While not as common as medical exemptions, many states also allow religious exemptions for mandatory school vaccinations. Only a few religions object to vaccines, including Christian Scientists and some faith healing groups. In most states, parents can simply sign a form stating that they have religious reasons for opting out of vaccinations. Some states, however, require evidence that the family belongs to a religious group that objects to vaccines. Additionally, a small number of states, such as California, Connecticut, New York, and West Virginia, do not allow religious exemptions at all.
It is important to note that states with easier exemption processes have higher rates of unvaccinated children and vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, research has found that states that offer personal exemptions have more than twice the rate of whooping cough as those that only allow religious exemptions. As a result, some states, like New York, have eliminated non-medical exemptions altogether.
In the event of an official emergency or an outbreak designated by the school or public health department, a child-care facility, school, or institution of higher education may exclude unvaccinated students, even if they have a valid religious or medical exemption.
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Flu vaccines for children
Flu can be more dangerous than the common cold for children, and it places a large burden on the health and well-being of children and their families. Each year, millions of children fall sick with seasonal flu, with thousands hospitalized and some even dying from the flu. Children younger than 5 years old, especially those younger than 2, and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes, are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications.
The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor's visits, missed school days, and the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine. Flu shots are given as an injection and are approved for use in people 6 months and older. The nasal spray vaccine is approved for people 2 to 49 years old, although it is not recommended for pregnant women or those with certain underlying medical conditions.
For most people who need only one dose of the flu vaccine for the season, September and October are good times to get vaccinated. It takes about two weeks after the shot for the body to build immunity. Children should get their influenza vaccine when the shots become available, especially if they need two shots this season. That way, they will be protected before flu starts circulating in the community.
In the state of New York, children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade must receive all required doses of vaccines unless they have a valid medical exemption. This includes all public, private, and religious schools. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving a vaccine.
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HPV, Tdap, and meningitis vaccines for preteens
In the United States, all children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade in New York State must receive all required doses of vaccines on the recommended schedule to attend or remain in school. This applies to all public, private, and religious schools, and the only exemption is a valid medical one.
The CDC has recommended the HPV vaccination for females since 2006 and for males since 2011. The HPV vaccine is recommended for all children before their 13th birthday, and it is usually given in two doses. The CDC also recommends the meningococcal vaccination for all preteens and teens, especially those planning to attend college. There are three types of meningococcal vaccines used in the United States, and the CDC recommends getting a booster shot at 16 years old.
The Tdap vaccine (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) is also recommended for adolescents. A study found that administering the HPV vaccine prior to the Tdap or meningococcal vaccine resulted in higher completion rates for the HPV vaccine series. It is safe to administer the HPV, Tdap, and meningococcal vaccines together, and doing so can minimize the number of doctor's visits required. However, one may want to consider that a higher rate of swelling at the injection site was reported when all three vaccines were given together.
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Catch-up vaccinations for unvaccinated children
In the United States, children attending daycare and pre-K through 12th grade must receive all the required doses of vaccines unless they have a valid medical exemption. This includes children in public, private, and religious schools in New York State. To remain in school, unvaccinated children must receive the first dose of all required vaccines within the first 14 days.
The CDC has developed catch-up guidance for healthcare providers to assist in interpreting the child and adolescent immunization schedule. The CDC's recommendations must be read with the accompanying notes, which outline considerations for special situations and contraindications and precautions for vaccine types. The catch-up schedule provides minimum intervals between doses for children whose vaccinations have been delayed.
For example, Vaxelis can be used for catch-up vaccination in children younger than five years of age. The recommended interval for catch-up vaccination can be determined using Table 2 of the CDC's recommendations. HPV vaccination is routinely recommended at 11-12 years and catch-up vaccination is recommended for all persons through age 18 if they were not adequately vaccinated.
Additionally, the Dengue vaccine should not be administered to children traveling to or visiting endemic dengue areas. For children younger than seven years with a contraindication specific to the pertussis component of DTaP, Td can be administered for the remaining recommended doses instead of DTaP.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, in most states, children are required to receive certain vaccinations before they can attend school or child care. This is to protect children, their families, and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.
If your child misses a vaccination, they can catch up by visiting their healthcare provider. It is important to keep your child up to date on their vaccinations to ensure they can attend or remain in school.
The specific vaccinations your child needs may vary depending on your state and your child's age. Commonly required vaccinations include Tdap, meningococcal conjugate vaccine, and HPV vaccine. You can refer to the CDC's recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule or consult your child's healthcare provider for more information.
Yes, some states allow exemptions for medical or religious reasons. For example, in Washington state, families can claim one of four exemption types, including a medical exemption or a religious objection. However, it is important to note that unvaccinated children may be excluded from school to protect the health and safety of all students.
