School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements
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 (available at
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/Immunization/acip.htm).
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). 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. 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 is used. If the 2-
dose schedule is used for adolescents 11-15 years of age it must be clearly
documented on the school form.
Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR) Vaccine - A minimum of 2 measles, 2 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 -This vaccine is required ONLY for children less
than two years of age. Two to four doses, dependent on age at first dose,
of pneumococcal 7-valent conjugate vaccine are required.
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 IPV or OPV polio vaccine before
the fourth birthday is adequately immunized and does not need a dose after
the fourth birthday.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine - All susceptible children born on and after
January 1, 1997, shall be required to have one dose of chickenpox vaccine.
Varicella must be administered at age 12 months or older.
