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All states require proof of immunization before children can attend school. State laws vary as to which ones are needed, but most states require proof that your child has received at least the following vaccines:
- Three doses of tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or tetanus and diphtheria usually received as DTaP, DT, DPT, DT or Td vaccine.
- Three doses of polio vaccine
- Two doses each of measles, mumps and rubella after one year of age
- Most states also require hepatitis B, HiB, varicella (chickenpox) and pneumococcal vaccines for day care.
Proof consists of a written record that shows the month, day and year that your child was immunized. You'll need this written proof when your child is enrolled or registered for school. The school usually has a form for recording immunizations, and the parent or guardian must get the needed documents from the pediatrician or public health clinic where the child was immunized.
The only exemptions to the school requirements are medical reasons, religious beliefs or a strong personal conviction opposing immunizations. This also varies by state.
Vaccines are sometimes available for free. If your child didn't get immunized as an infant, the needed series of vaccines can be started at any time. Contact your state health department to find the nearest county health department.
Click on the thumbnails below to see the standard immunization schedules for children from birth to 6 years and 7 to 18 years. These schedules are based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
To be sure that your child is up to date with the vaccines, print the chart below and complete it by recording the dates that your child was immunized. Use this as a handy reference when immunization information is needed. School officials require your health care provider verify your own personal records.
Immunization Reference Chart for School Health Records (Please print this page.)
Record the date that your child received each of the following vaccines:
| Hepatitis B |
At birth |
2 to 4 months |
6 to 18 months |
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11 to 12 years |
| Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP) |
2 months |
4 months |
6 months |
15 to 18 months |
4 to 6 years and tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (DTaP/Td) every 10 years |
| H. Influenza Type B |
2 months |
4 months |
6 months |
12 or 15 months |
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| Polio |
2 months |
4 months |
6 to 18 months |
4 to 6 years |
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| Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
12 to 15 months |
4 to 6 years |
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| Varicella (chickenpox) |
After 12 months |
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4 to 6 years |
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| Pneumococcal conjugate |
2 months |
4 months |
6 months |
12 to 15 months |
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| Influenza |
6 months to 59 months annually |
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| Hepatitis A |
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12 months |
18 months |
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| Meningococcal |
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At 11-12 years, at entry to high school, in freshman year of college if living in dormitory |
| Rotavirus |
2 months |
4 months |
6 months |
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| Human Papillomavirus |
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First dose between 11 and 12, 2nd dose 2 months later, 3rd dose 6 months later |
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Related Articles
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External Sources
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American Academy of Pediatrics
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American Academy of Family Physicians
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.
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