The California Department of Health has immunization requirements for those who attend child care, pre-school, and school. The state’s immunization requirements follow the current schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).  

Children enrolling in child care facilities, pre-school, pre-Kindergarten

Infants entering child care facilities must be up to date at the time of enrollment and are required to provide an updated certificate after completing all of the required vaccines due no later than 18 months of age.

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV)

  • Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) – age younger than 5 years only

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 1 dose of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 1 dose or credible history of disease

Children enrolling in Kindergarten

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV) – final dose on or after the 4th birthday

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease

All children entering 7th grade (including currently enrolled students)

  • Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (Tdap) – evidence of one Tdap dose given any time before 7th grade entry is required regardless of Td history

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, usually given together as MMR

Children who are new enrollees in a CA school in grades other than Kindergarten

  • Hepatitis B (HBV)

  • Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, or DT if appropriate)

  • Poliomyelitis (IPV or OPV – final dose on or after the 4th birthday

  • Measles, Mumps, Rubella – 2 doses of each, normally given together as MMR

  • Varicella – 2 doses or credible history of disease

  • New students entering grades other than 7th grade are not required to have Tdap

Immunization Exemptions

California law allows exceptions for medical reasons.

Medical

Physicians (MD or DO) or Public Health Nurses indicate specific vaccines medically exempted (because of risk of harm) on the certificate. Other vaccines may remain required. The form certifies that a child has a condition that prevents him/her from getting vaccinated. The medical reason for the exemption does not need to be provided.

The Certificate of Medical Exemption will be on forms approved by the California Department of Public Health and will be accepted in lieu of the Certificate of Immunization.

Under SB 277, home school students or students who do not receive classroom-based instruction are required to be vaccinated.