• The Pennsylvania Department of Health updated school immunization regulations beginning in August 2017. The regulations are intended to ensure that children attending school are adequately protected against potential outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires the following immunizations for entry into school and continued attendance.
     Children in ALL grades (K-12) need the following immunizations for attendance:

    4 doses of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)*
    4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose) 
    2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (usually given as MMR)
    3 doses of hepatitis B
    2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity

    *Usually given as DTP or DTaP or if medically advisable, DT or Td

    Children in 7th-grade need the following additional immunizations for attendance:
    1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
    1 dose meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)

    Children in 12th-grade need the following additional immunizations for attendance:
    2nd dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
    First dose is given at 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.

    Exemptions from school laws for immunizations are: medical reasons; religious beliefs; and philosophical/strong moral or ethical conviction.

    If your child is exempt from immunizations, he or she may be removed from school during an outbreak.
    Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 Pa.CODE CH.23 (School Immunization). Contact your healthcare provider or call 1-877-PA-HEALTH for more information.

    Immunization Requirement Brochure