IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

  • The State of New Jersey requires students to provide an administration record of the following immunizations or a valid religious or medical exemption to enter school. A health provider's statement showing the administration dates (month, day and year) of each vaccine must be provided to the school nurse prior to school attendance.

    Preschool Immunization Requirements

    • DTaP: a minimum of 4 doses
    • POLIO: a minimum of 3 doses
    • MMR: 1 dose given on or after 1st birthday
    • VARICELLA: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday or written documentation of having had chicken pox or lab work showing immunity
    • HEPATITIS B: 3 doses
    • PNEUMOCOCCAL (PCV): One dose given on or after 1st birthday
    • HIB: 1 dose given on or after 1st birthday
    • Influenza (FLU): One dose between September 1-December 31 of each year for ages 6-59 months.
      • Students who do not receive the flu vaccine, or have documentation for non-vaccination, by December 31 will be excluded from school until proof of vaccination is received.

    Kindergarten Immunization Requirements

    • DTaP: a minimum of 4 doses. One dose must be after the 4th birthday or any 5 doses
    • POLIO: a minimum of 3 doses. One dose must be after the 4th birthday or any 4 doses
    • MMR: 2 doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; lab evidence of immunity is acceptable in lieu of 2nd dose
    • VARICELLA: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday or written documentation of having had chicken pox or lab work showing immunity
    • HEPATITIS B: 3 doses

    Grades 2-5 Immunization Requirements

    • DTaP: a minimum of 3 doses
    • POLIO: a minmum of 3 doses
    • MMR: 2 doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; lab evidence of immunity is acceptable in lieu of 2nd dose
    • VARICELLA: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday or written documentation of having had chicken pox or lab work showing immunity
    • HEPATITIS B: 3 doses

    Grades 6-8 Immunization Requirements

    • DTap: a minimum of 3 doses
    • Tdap: 1 dose given no earlier than 10 years of age (due when 11 and entering grade 6 or above)
    • POLIO: a minimum of 3 doses
    • MMR: 2 doses with first dose on or after 1st birthday; lab evidence of immunity is acceptable in lieu of 2nd dose
    • VARICELLA: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday or written documentation of having had chicken pox or lab work showing immunity
    • HEPATITIS B: 3 doses
    • MENINGOCOCCAL: 1 dose (due when 11 years of age and entering grade 6 or above) 

    Exemptions

     A student may be exempted from mandatory immunizations if a medical or religious exemption is provided to the school nurse. Medical exemptions are written, signed and dated by a physician or advanced practice nurse. Religious exemptions are written, signed and dated by parents/guardians. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.3 (d) and 4.4 (d) a school may exclude children with religious or medical exemptions during a vaccine-preventable disease outbreak or threatened outbreak as determined by the Commissioner, Department of Health, or his or her designee. https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/imm_requirements/religious_exemption.pdf

    Additional Information

    The NJ Department of Health provides detailed information about child and adolescent vaccine requirements for school attendance at this link https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/imm_requirements/ 

    NJ PRESCHOOL VACCINE CHART https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/imm_requirements/cc_preschool_requirements_parents.pdf 

    NJ K-12 VACCINE CHART https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/imm_requirements/k12_parents.pdf