Immunization Requirements

Pennsylvania Immunization Regulations for children to attend school.
(including foreign exchange students and students transferring from out-of-state)

Click here for Vaccination Requirements

All Grades K-12 (First dose of each vaccine required for school entry. The rest are considered series vaccines and are due within the first 5 days of attendance)

  • 4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis. (DTaP or DTP) Must be properly spaced with 1 dose administered on or after the 4th birthday.

  • 4 doses of polio. (IPV or OPV) Must be properly spaced with the 4th dose administered on or after the 4th birthday, and at least 6 months after the previous dose that was given.

  • 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella. (MMR) Must be properly spaced doses and administered at 12 months of age or older, or a evidence of immunity proved by laboratory testing or a written statement of disease history from a physician.

  • 3 doses of Hepatitis B. Must be properly spaced doses with the last dose administered after 24 weeks of age, unless a child receives a vaccine as approved by the FDA for a two-dose regimen, or a history of hepatitis B immunity proved by laboratory testing.

  • 2 doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox) – Must be properly spaced doses and administered at 12 months of age or older, or evidence of immunity proved by laboratory testing or written statement of disease history from a physician.

7th Grade (non-series vaccines – required for school entry on first day) Please note if Tdap and MCV were not given in 7th grade they are required before entry into any additional grade 8-12. 

  • 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)

  • 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

12th Grade (series vaccine – due within the first 5 days of school attendance)

  • 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV) given at 16 years of age or older

    • First dose is given for entry into 7th grade (or 11-15 years of age); a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.

    • If the first dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.

The Department of Health requires Completed Immunizations be on file with the school within the first 5 days of school for a series vaccine and by the first day of school for a non-series vaccine, or the child will not be allowed to attend school. If the child is not medically able to have the next dose of a series vaccine, you may submit a medical certificate from your physician setting out the schedule for the remaining doses. The child may continue to attend school so long as the child complies with the vaccination schedule in the medical certificate.

The only exemptions to the school laws for immunizations are: medical reasons, religious beliefs, and philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction. Proper documentation must be provided requesting exemption. See your school nurse for more information. If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.