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Immunization Requirements

Published August 2, 2012

With the start of school just a week away, now's the time to make sure your child has received all of the necessary immunizations. Parents must present the original Tennessee Department of Health Certificate of Immunization reflecting adequate immunization status to their child's school prior to being allowed to enroll as a new student, or to begin the school year for kindergarten or the seventh grade.

Listed below are the current immunization requirements. Parents can also visit the Tennessee Department of Health's WEBSITE for more information.

Children in Child Care Facilities:

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV)
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib): age younger than five years only (this requirement is resumed following suspension during a national Hib vaccine shortage 2008-2009)
  • Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV): age younger than five years only
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (one dose of each, usually given together as MMR)
  • Varicella (one dose or history of disease)
  • Hepatitis A (one dose by 18 months of age)

Children entering Kindergarten:

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV)
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the fourth birthday now required
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (two doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
  • Varicella (two doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required
  • Hepatitis A (two doses): effective July 1, 2011

Children entering seventh grade:

  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”)
  • Verification of immunity to varicella (two doses or history of disease)

Children who are new enrollees in a TN school in grades other than K or seventh

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): previously only for Kindergarten, seventh grade entry
  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV): final dose on or after the fourth birthday now required
  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella (two doses of each, usually given together as MMR)
  • Varicella (two doses or history of disease): previously only one dose was required

Children with medical or religious exemption to requirements:

  • Medical: Healthcare provider must indicate which specific vaccines are medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the new form. Other vaccines remain required.
  • Religious: WCS requires a signed notarized statement by the parent/guardian that vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets or practices. If documentation of a health examination is required, it must be noted by the health care provider on the immunization certificate. In that case, the provider may explain the absence of immunization information by checking that the parent has obtained a religious exemption.