Pennsylvania School Immunization Requirements
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 4th birthday)
- 4 doses of polio (4th dose on or after 4th birthday and at least 6 months after previous dose given)
- 2 doses of measles, mumps, and rubella**
- 3 doses of hepatitis B
- 2 doses of varicella (chickenpox) or evidence of immunity
Seventh through 12th Grade ADDITIONAL immunization requirements for attendance:
- 2 doses meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV)
- First dose is given 11-15 years of age; a second dose is required at age 16 or entry into 12th grade.
- If the dose was given at 16 years of age or older, only one dose is required.
- 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap)
* Usually given as DTaP or DTP or DT or Td
** Usually given as MMR
Exemptions for the 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 health care provider or Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258).