Schools

School Immunization Requirements in NYS

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Not only are vaccines key to preventing disease, they are required to attend school in New York State.

Nassau Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein said he continues to see cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps and pertussis. “The single best way to protect our children and the entire community from these serious and potentially life-threatening diseases is by ensuring appropriate vaccinations,” he said.

Here in Westchester, the Department of Health offers free vaccinations for back to school by appointment on a first come first served basis. 

The following is the New York State school immunization requirements for school entrance/attendance: 

Diphtheria Toxoid-Containing Vaccine

  • 3 doses (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 3 doses (K-12)

Tetanus Toxoid-Containing Vaccine and Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP, DTP)
  • 3 doses if born on or after Jan. 1, 2005 (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 3 doses if born on or after Jan. 1, 2005 (K-12)

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Booster (Tdap)
  • Not applicable (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 1994 and enrolling in grades 6-10 for 2013-2014 school year-1 dose (K-12)

Polio (IPV or OPV)
  • 3 doses (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 3 doses (K-12)

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
  • 1 dose (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 2 doses of measles-containing vaccine and 1 dose each of mumps and rubella, preferably as MMR (K-12)

Hepatitis B
  • 3 doses (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 3 doses (K-12)

Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)
  • 3 doses if less than 15 months of age OR 1 dose administered on or after 15 months of age (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • Not applicable (K-12)

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 2008 4 doses by 15 months of age, given at age-appropriate times and intervals (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • Not applicable (K-12)

Varicella (Chickenpox) 1 Dose
  • Born on or after Jan. 1, 2000 (Day Care, Nursery, Head Start or Pre-K)
  • 1 dose (K-12)

In addition to the aforementioned required immunizations, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend the following: influenza, meningococcal, rotavirus, hepatitis A and human papilloma virus vaccines, as well as additional doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, mumps, rubella, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b and varicella vaccines. Some of these may be required for post-secondary school enrollment, according to the health department.

New York State’s Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provides required vaccines are to health care providers at no cost for uninsured children and those whose health insurance does not cover childhood immunizations, according to the health department.


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