Immunizations

Pennsylvania's school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA.CODE CH.23 (School Immunization)

Under regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, children entering school for the first time after August 1997 are required to be immunized for Hepatitis B. This immunization requires a three dose series. Also added as requirements were a second dose of Measles (preferably MMR ) and a fourth dose of the Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccines.

Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year , new school vaccination requirements will now include Varicella (chicken pox) immunity , either from vaccination, history of disease or laboratory testing for new school enterers (Kindergarten or first grade) and for students entering in seventh grade . All seventh graders will also be required to have three doses of hepatitis B vaccine.

All children in All grade levels (K-12) must have received the following required immunizations:

Diphtheria-Tetanus
3 or more properly spaced doses of DPT, DTaP, Td, DT vaccine or any combination of the three.

Polio
3 doses or more properly spaced doses of polio vaccine (IPV or OPV)

Measles
2 properly spaced doses of live measles vaccine (preferably MMRII) with the first dose administered after 12 months of age or a blood test showing immunity.

German Measles (Rubella)
1 dose of live rubella vaccine (preferably MMRII) administered after 12 months of age or a blood test showing immunity.

Mumps
1 dose of live rubella vaccine (preferably MMRII) administered after 12 months of age or a physician's written statement that your child had the disease.

In addition to the above immunizations All new school enterers (Kindergarten or first grade) and children entering seventh grade or students who are 12 years of age in an un-graded class must have received the following required immunizations:

Children ENTERING SCHOOL (at K or grade 1 ONLY) in/after 2002/2003:

• Tetanus - 4 doses of tetanus (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)
• Diphtheria - 4 doses of diphtheria (1 dose on or after the 4th birthday)

All new school enterers (Kindergarten or first grade) and children entering seventh grade or students who are 12 years of age in an un-graded class

Hepatitis B
3 properly spaced doses of Hepatitis B vaccine or a blood test showing immunity.

Varicella
(All new school enterers (Kindergarten or first grade) and children entering seventh grade or students who are 12 years of age in an un-graded class)

1 dose of live attenuated varicella vaccine administered at 12 months of age through 12 years of age, or two doses of varicella vaccination administered at age 13 years of age or thereafter, or chickenpox immunity proved by laboratory testing, or a written statement of history of chickenpox disease from a parent, guardian or physician.

When a child has not received any of the required immunizations, the entire course may take as long as eight months to complete. Children with incomplete immunizations at the start of the school year will be provisionally enrolled for an eight month period. If you have any questions concerning your child's immunizations, please contact your local school nurse. You can also call your doctor or the local health department.