PA / ACHD Immunization Requirements
PENNSYLVANIA / ACHD REQUIREMENTS
SCHOOL IMMUNIZATIONS / LEAD LEVEL PROOF❋
Pennsylvania’s school immunization requirements can be found in 28 PA.CODE CH.23 (School Immunization) for ALL public, private, cyber and home-school students.
IMPORTANT*** Immunizations must be completed prior to August 1 for entry on the first day of school or risk exclusion from school. There will be no provisional enrollment.
ALL STUDENTS ENTERING SCHOOL need the following vaccines:
- 4 doses of tetanus, diptheria, and acellular pertussis (1 dose on or after the fourth 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 (dose #1 after the first birthday, dose #2 at least one month later)
- 3 doses of hepatitis B
- 2 doses of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or written statement from physician/designee indicating month and year of disease or blood test providing history of having the disease
❋KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS: (in addition to the above vaccines) As of January 1, 2018, the ACHD is requiring proof of blood lead level testing of all Kindergarten students. All children are required to have their blood lead level tested prior to entry into kindergarten. This testing is usually done by the pediatrician at 1 and 2 years of age. Please send proof of the testing with a copy of the child’s immunizations.
Students entering GRADE 7 (in addition to above vaccines):
- 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Whooping Cough) (Tdap)
- 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (meningococcal B not accepted)
Students entering GRADE 12 (in addition to the above vaccines):
- 2nd dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (meningococcal B not accepted)
These requirements allow for medical reasons and religious beliefs.
If your child is exempt from immunizations, he/she may be prohibited from attending school during a disease outbreak.
We are providing you this early notice so you may avoid having your child excluded from school next fall. Please discuss these requirements with your physician as soon as possible and forward a copy of your child's immunization to your school nurse. Also, immunizations may be obtained at the Allegheny County Health Department by calling: 412:578-8060.
* * Usually given as MMR
Allegheny County Health Department
